Dance Theatre as a Supportive Intervention for Female Cancer Survivors: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Purpose Many studies have shown that physical exercise and dance therapy may have positive effects on several outcome criteria e. g. quality of life and psychological well-being of cancer patients. Up to now relatively little is known about innovative programs like dance theatre. This pilot study aims to investigate if a dance theatre project may be an intervention for women directly or indirectly affected with cancer to support their adaptation after cancer and improve quality of life and other process parameters. Methods Based on a mixed-methods approach we investigated how the participants of the project experience and benefit from dance theatre project. In the qualitative part of the study the participants were interviewed with respect to their personal and social experience with the dance project. In the quantitative part of the study participants were assessed based on a pre-post design at 2 points of measurement using standardized and non-standardized questionaires. Results The sample (N=27) consisted of women with cancer (n=21; 78%) and women indirectly affected by cancer of their family members or significant others (n=6; 22%). The quantitative analysis showed that the participants were distressed by the sequelae of cancer and its treatment but showed only low rates of depression and anxiety (15%). At follow-up measurement we found only non-significant changes for psychosocial distress, anxiety, depression and quality of life. In the qualitative interviews participants reported positive effects of the dance project in terms of coping with the psychosocial and physical late effects, physical strengthening, emotional disclosure, and empowerment of self-esteem and self-confidence and increase of individual resources. Overall, the project meets the expectations of the participants. Conclusions This pilot study provides first data on dance theatre as an intervention for female cancer survivors and relatives of cancer patients. Due to the high demands of the dance theater project participation may be recommended only for selected groups of patients. The results are preliminary and should be validated in further studies.