(013) Dance Movement Therapy for Patients Suffering from Breast Cancer: How Does it Impact Their Sexuality and Sense of Intimacy?
Authors: Elfeqi R 
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) has been used in the past decade to reduce the special stress and biological sequels associated with chronic and traumatizing diseases and Cancer. Nearly 47% of patients suffering from breast cancer were suffering from a diagnosable psychiatric disorder most commonly adjustment disorders, anxiety, depression and/or sexual disorders.

Objective

Aim of the study is to examine the impact of DMT as a novel modality in treating psychiatric disorder and improving sexuality and intimacy amid dealing with the breast cancer storm.

Methods

110 females suffering from Breast Cancer and suffering from depressive symptoms and/or sexual disorders were included. Those psychotic manifesting psychosis or other psychiatric illnesses that alter level of consciousness were excluded. As well as physically unfit patients to participate in DMT intervention group were excluded. Age groups ranged from 18-60 years old. Patients were randomly assigned by Tombola method into 2 groups: an intervention DMT group and a wait -list control group. Clinical examination and psychometry were conducted on both intervention DMT and control groups before and after intervention. Detailed psychiatric sheet and PLISSIT model followed for assessment of psychiatric and sexual disorder consecutively. Psychometry included: Beck Depression Scale (BDS), Body image (BI) scales and General Health Survey (GHS) were applied. DMT Intervention Techniques comprised 12 sessions in total in group setting. Each group included 20 females maximum. We met three times per week. 90 minutes every group for 4 weeks. Each session included DMT techniques of warm up, centering, use of props starting with Swiss Ball, Plastic Buttons, Elastic Bands, Bubble Soap blow, Yoga Blocks, and started seated before diving into standing and interactive moving DMT techniques. Free association lapses with culturally sensitive songs and music were given every session but mainly Yoga Therapy Restorative techniques, Modified tai-Chi, Modified Lebed techniques, followed by verbal feedback in the here and now and de-rolling. The session before the last, therapist invited the patient’s life partners/husbands/caretaker to the group vicinity and dyadic techniques were used.

Results

Patients were diagnosed in stage III at the time of examination and inclusion in the study. The most common histopathological type was Infiltrating Duct Carcinoma IDC 95%. 80% had positive lymph Nodes LN. ER positive in 95% of patients and only 10% negative PR. HER 2- neu negative by IHC staining in 55% of patients. 80% of patients in the intervention group had undergone mainly surgery Modified Radical Mastectomy MRM. Chemotherapy namely Anthracyclines/Taxanes received in 85% of patients participating in the study and 45% received Hormonal therapy and other 45% adjuvant radiotherapy as well according to guidelines of treatment regimen. Intervention group improved on BDS, BI and GHS scales and improved intimacy more than sexuality at the time of the study while control wait-list group worsened on BDS, BI scales and GHS and no change was detected on intimacy nor sexual disorder initially diagnosed.

Conclusions

DMT is an effective modality welcomed by patients suffering from breast cancer and their life partners/care takers. DMT was shown to boost mood, perception of body image and boosts intimacy.

Disclosure

No