For people struggling with psychotic disorders or eating disorders, feeling disconnected from their own bodies can make recovery harder. A new look at 12 different studies suggests that adding dance and movement therapy to standard treatment might help bridge that gap. This approach, often called Dance Movement Therapy, asks patients to move their bodies to explore feelings they might otherwise struggle to name.
The review found improvements in several key areas. Participants showed better social engagement and physical functioning. They also reported feeling less burdened by negative symptoms, which are feelings like low motivation or lack of emotion that often accompany mental health struggles. There was also potential benefit for body image and the ability to manage emotions.
However, the evidence comes with important caveats. The studies varied greatly in how they were designed and what they measured, making it hard to draw firm conclusions. Because of these differences, we cannot yet say for sure that this therapy causes these improvements. While the results are encouraging, more consistent research is needed to confirm these findings before this becomes a standard part of care.
