| Abstract [eng] |
Psychosomatic symptoms – bodily sensations and complains associated with emotional, psychological, and social factors rather than a clearly identified physical pathology – are a widespread phenomenon in the adult population and constitute a significant share of primary healthcare burden (de Waal et. al., 2004). Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) is a therapeutic use movement to develop emotional, cognitive, physical, spiritual and social integration of a person. The essential components of DMT are dance as body movement, creative expression, and interpersonal relationship (Lithuanian Dance Movement Therapy Association – LŠJTA, 2026). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of DMT in the intensity of psychosomatic symptoms in adults. The study employed a mixed-methods design, combining quantitative and qualitative methodology. Nine participants took part (5 women, 4 men; mean age 51,7 ± 6,4 years), selected via snowball sampling according to clearly defined inclusion criteria: mature adulthood (35-56 years), presence of psychosomatic symptoms, married status, higher education, and urban residence. The intervention consisted of a 12 – session structured DMT programme (90 minutes per session, once weekly), grounded in Laban Movement Analysis, polyvagal theory, principles of Authentic Movement, and somatic psychotherapy methods. Psychosomatic symptoms were assessed using the PSQ-39 questionnaire (Heidari et al., 2021), completed before the first DMT session and after the full 12 – session cycle. Physiological effects were recorded by measuring heart rate during the last three sessions (10, 11 and 12) at the beginning, middle, and end of each session. Qualitative date – participants’ written reflections after each session (194 coding units) – were analyzed using thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke (2006; 2012). Quantitative results showed a statistically significant decrease in heart rate across the final three DMT sessions: pulse decreased on the average from 77,9 – 80,9 bpm to 59,6 – 70,2 bpm, confirming a parasympathetic nervous system activation effect. PSQ-39 data revealed a trend toward reduction across all symptom categories, most notably in psychological symptoms (-23,1%) and musculoskeletal symptoms (-21,0%). Statistical significance was reached for the energy deficit symptom (p = 0,031). Gender comparison showed that symptom reduction was more pronounced in women across all categories (overall reduction – 28,9%) than in men (-2,3%). Qualitative analysis identified five core themes: the link between bodily sensations and psychosomatic expression, the relationship with one’s own body, inner sensing – interoception, the expression of psychological defense mechanisms, and the importance of physical contact in interpersonal relationships. The findings indicate that DMT has a clear, objectively measurable physiological effect on the autonomic nervous system and a clinically meaningful trend toward reducing psychosomatic symptoms, particularly in the female population. The study serves as an exploratory investigation and provides an empirical basis for larger-scale research. |
