Feldenkrais to Improve Interoceptive Processes and Psychological Well-being in Female Adolescent Ballet Dancers: A Feasibility Study

Abstract

The Feldenkrais Method® (FM) is a form of somatic education aiming to increase brain-body communication, reportedly via interoceptive mechanisms. Although empirically proven to improve perceived interoceptive ability and psychological well-being in adults, feasibility in adolescents remains unclear. We therefore used a combined randomized control-group pretest-posttest design with qualitative interviews to explore the feasibility of an eight-week FM intervention to enhance interoceptive processes and psychological well-being in a population of adolescent female recreational ballet dancers. Participants’ (N = 12, M age = 14.25 ± 1.29) interoceptive accuracy, perceived interoceptive ability, and psychological well-being were measured pre- and post-intervention, followed by individual interviews. Interview responses demonstrated high enjoyment, increased perceived embodied criticality, and reduced social comparison, supported by a significant increase in self-reported attention regulation (p =.042) in the intervention group. These preliminary findings support the feasibility of FM in this population and thus warrant further research using well-powered randomized controlled trials.