ABSTRACT
Body image is a multidimentional organisation which participates in the construction of the identity. It stems from the body schema and changes throughout life. Dance therapy creates a link between the psychic and the physical self. It works on the cognitive, social and personal aspect of the personality. During forteen years, the Service of Therapeutic Education for Chronic Diseases of the University Hospital of Geneva developed a dance therapy program for obese patients.The effect of a dance therapy treatment on body image has been evaluated and compared to control groups. Our results show a great improvement on quality of life, self esteem and body self esteem and mental representations of oneself.
L'image du corps est une organisation multidimensionnelle, subjective qui participe à la construction de l'identité. Elle est issue des représentations du schéma corporel et se modifie au cours des ans. La danse-thérapie crée un lien entre le corps psychique et physique de la personne. Elle agit sur le plan cognitif, affectif et social. Pendant 14 ans, le service d'enseignement thérapeutique pour maladies chroniques, aux Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, a développé un programme de danse-thérapie pour les personnes souffrant d'obésité. L'effet de la danse-thérapie sur l'image du corps a été évalué. La comparaison avec des groupes de contrôle montre que la danse-thérapie permet d'améliorer significativement la qualité de vie, l'estime de soi et l'estime corporelle et les représentations mentales.
Subject(s)
Body Image , Dance Therapy , Dancing , Humans , Quality of Life , Self ConceptABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of dance therapy combined with patient education on quality of life, functional capacity (lower limb power and endurance) and physical activity level in obese individuals. METHODS: Thirty-three obese patients were randomised to a control group (structured patient education ambulatory program), and 34 to an intervention group (structured patient education ambulatory program combined with weekly sessions of dance therapy). Patients' quality of life, physical function and physical activity level were assessed at baseline and after 16 weeks. RESULTS: Almost only women were willing to enrol in the study. Participants of the intervention group significantly improved their quality of life (p=0.023), and particularly self-esteem (p=0.014). However, dance therapy added to a patient educational program did not produce statistically significant higher effects than a patient education program alone on functional capacities and patients' physical activity level. CONCLUSION: A 16 week structured patient educational program combined with dance therapy seems to have a positive effect on the quality of life of obese people, but no effect on functional capacities and physical activity. PRACTICE IMPLICATION: Dance therapy combined with structured patient education is an interesting approach to improve quality of life of obese people.
Subject(s)
Dance Therapy , Obesity/psychology , Patient Education as Topic , Physical Fitness , Quality of Life , Self Concept , Adult , Exercise , Feasibility Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Obesity/physiopathologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationships between BMI and walking speed, balance control, sit-to-stand performance (a measure of mass specific lower limb power), and endurance. DESIGN AND METHODS: Thirty-six women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2) and 10 women with normal body weight (BMI between 18 kg/m(2) and 25 kg/m(2) ) were enrolled in this observational study. The obese group comprised 12 persons with a BMI ≥ 30 and <35 (obese), 14 subjects with a BMI ≥ 35 and <40 (severe obesity) and 10 people with a BMI ≥ 40 kg/m(2) (morbid obesity). All subjects underwent a clinical examination, a gait test, an endurance test (6 minutes walking test), a mass specific lower limb power test (five times sit-to-stand) and a balance test. RESULTS: Obese women exhibited slower fast gait speeds (P < 0.05) with correspondingly shorter stride lengths, poorer sit-to-stand performance (P < 0.05), and endurance (P < 0.05). However, once the state of severe obesity was reached, additional weight gain (morbid obesity) does not seem to decrease these functional capacities any further. CONCLUSION: This study underlines the importance of assessing obese patients' related physical problems in an early stage of obesity in order to focus exercise regimens and promote appropriate health behaviors.
Subject(s)
Body Mass Index , Exercise Test , Obesity, Morbid/metabolism , Walking/physiology , Female , Gait/physiology , Humans , Postural Balance/physiology , PostureABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Obesity and disturbed eating behaviors are both associated with low self-esteem and distorted body images. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of a dance therapy program on the evolution of mental representations linked to body image among obese patients. Changes in body image were evaluated in terms of four parameters: physical, psychological, cognitive, and social. METHODS: In total, 18 obese patients were enrolled in a longitudinal dance therapy workshop (DTW) program lasting 36 weeks. Patients danced for 2h per week and were evaluated three times: at baseline, after 18 weeks, and at the end of the study (36 weeks). Evaluation was performed using questionnaires addressing health-related quality of life, sensorial-motor perception, and mental representations linked to body schema and self-body image. RESULTS: Obese patients enrolled in the DTW displayed a significant improvement in health-related quality of life (p<0.03), body consciousness (p<0.001), and mental representations linked to self body image (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: DTW allowed obese patients to reset both their somatic and psychic consciousness of their body image. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Patients are usually reluctant to practice physical activity. Dance therapy improves not only body image, but also psycho-social aspects of their personality.
Subject(s)
Body Image , Dance Therapy , Obesity/psychology , Adult , Attitude to Health , Body Mass Index , Feeding Behavior/psychology , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Middle Aged , Program Evaluation , Quality of Life/psychology , Self Concept , Surveys and Questionnaires , Treatment Outcome , Young AdultABSTRACT
Obese people may have trouble with walking and may present reduced postural control. Medical doctors or therapists should guide the patient to restart doing physical activities that are gentle and progressive. Exercise should take into account walking difficulties. Thus, the first challenge is to help obese individuals start exercising without risk, or excessive strain on the joints. The second stage should encourage individuals to persevere in the chosen activity. Enjoyment is a key factor for attaining these objectives. Dance therapy, with its psychological and physiological impact, could help individuals take on the challenge.
