Clinical Report: Dance/Movement Therapy in Psychotic and Eating Disorders
Overview
This systematic review synthesizes evidence on Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) as an adjunctive treatment for psychotic disorders and eating disorders (EDs). Findings indicate consistent benefits in embodied and psychosocial domains, including improvements in negative symptoms, social functioning, body image, and emotional regulation.
Background
Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) is a creative arts therapy using bodily movement to enhance emotional regulation and interpersonal engagement. It targets embodied disturbances common in psychotic disorders and EDs, such as impaired bodily awareness and affect regulation. Traditional pharmacological and verbal therapies often inadequately address these embodied and relational dimensions. DMT offers a non-verbal approach to accessing sensorimotor and emotional processes, potentially improving outcomes in these complex psychiatric conditions.
Data Highlights
Twelve studies published between 2016 and 2025 were included, encompassing randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental, observational, and qualitative designs. Across psychotic disorders, DMT was linked to improvements in negative symptoms, social engagement, and physical functioning. In ED populations, evidence suggested benefits for body image, emotional regulation, alexithymia, and subjective well-being. However, heterogeneity in study design and outcome measures limited definitive conclusions.
Key Findings
DMT consistently improved bodily awareness, emotional expression, and social functioning across psychotic and ED populations.
In psychotic disorders, DMT adjunctive to usual treatment reduced negative symptoms and enhanced social engagement and physical health.
Evidence in eating disorders, though limited, indicated potential improvements in body image, emotional regulation, and alexithymia.
Qualitative data highlighted increased emotional awareness, sense of agency, and relational attunement following DMT.
Methodological heterogeneity and variable study quality limited causal inference and generalizability.
Standardized DMT protocols and outcome measures sensitive to embodied change are needed in future research.
Clinical Implications
DMT may serve as a valuable adjunctive intervention in psychiatric care, particularly for patients with psychotic disorders and EDs who exhibit disturbances in bodily experience and affect regulation. Clinicians should consider integrating DMT to target embodied and relational aspects of psychopathology that are often unaddressed by conventional treatments. Careful selection of standardized protocols and outcome assessments will enhance clinical utility and research rigor.
Conclusion
Dance/Movement Therapy shows promise as an adjunctive treatment addressing embodied and psychosocial dysfunction in psychotic and eating disorders. Further well-designed controlled trials are necessary to establish efficacy and optimize intervention strategies.
