Abstract
The study investigated the effects of modern dance on anxiety. State anxiety was assessed before and after a 3-mo. education programme, using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The target group followed a class in modern dance. Control group were (1) a physical education group to control for the effects of exercise, (2) a music group to control for aesthetic sensitivity training, and (3) a mathematics group. Several concomitant variables were measured: age, sex, attitude towards dance, and previous experience in sport, dance, and relaxation. Dance training significantly reduced anxiety, but no control activities did so. Examination of the concomitant variables showed that the result could not be accounted for by any obvious artifacts.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.
References
Bunny, J.R. Dance therapy, and notes on the Task Panel on “The role of the arts in mental healt.”Art Psychotherapy 1978, 5, 7–9.
Chace, M. Dance as an adjunctive therapy with hospitalized mental patients.Bulletin of the Meninger Clinic 1953, 17, 219–225.
Costonis, M.N.Therapy in motion. Urbana, IL: Univer. of Illinois Press, 1978.
Hanson, D.S. The effects of a concentrated program of movement on the affective behavior of four year old children at university elementary school. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Univer. of California, Los Angeles, 1970.
Kearne, F.J. Instructional models and the development of the body concept and anxiety reduction in elementary school children. Educational Report, Ohio Univer., 1978.
Kline, F.A. A report on the use of movement therapy for chronic severely disabled outpatients.Art Psychotherapy 1977, 4, 181–182.
Schmais, C. Dance therapy in perspective. In K.C. Mason (Ed.),Dance therapy. Washington, DC: American Association of Health, Education & Recreation, 1974. Pp. 103–127.
Serlin, L. Portrait of Karen: a Gestalt phenomenological approach to movement therapy.Journal of Contemporary Psychology 1976, 8, 145–152.
Spielberger, C.D.Anxiety: current trends in theory and research. New York: Academic Press, 1972.
Spielberger, C.D., Gorsuch, R.L., & Lushene, R.The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Plao Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press, 1971.
Additional information
Reprinted with permission of the authors and the publisher. Copyright held byPerceptual and Motor Skills (1984, Volume 58).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lesté, A., Rust, J. Effects of dance on anxiety. Am J Dance Ther 12, 19–25 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00844312
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00844312
Keywords
- Previous Experience
- Education Programme
- Health Psychology
- Control Activity
- Target Group