Evidence of the Effects of Dance Interventions on Adults Mental Health: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Recent research has shown that dancing takes effect directly in improving mental health, by reducing rates of depression, anxiety, and enhancing the mood aspects in people of any age.

AIM

This systematic review aimed to search for evidence of the effects of dance interventions on adults' mental health.

METHODS

The eligibility criteria of the studies were defined by following the PICOS strategy, considering the population, intervention, comparison, result, and the study design. Only randomized clinical trials, conducted in adults of both sexes, with results related to mental health, including depression and/or anxiety and/or stress and/or mood disorder were considered eligible for this review. The search was conducted using 5 databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect from 2005 to 2020. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was used to assess the risk of bias in randomized clinical trials. The synthesis and presentation of results followed the guidelines of the PRISMA model.

RESULTS

Of 425 selected studies, 10 randomized clinical trials were included in the review with a total of 933 participants between 18 and 62 years old. Studies included Dance Movement Therapy, Latin dance, tango, rumba, waltz, Nogma, quadrille, and Biodanza. The results indicate that regardless of style, adults who participated in dance interventions showed a reduction in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress compared to groups that did not participate in any type of intervention.

DISCUSSION

In general, studies showed an unclear risk of bias in most items assessed. Based on these studies, it is possible to assume that the practice of dance contributes positively to the maintenance or improvement of mental health in adults.

Association between menopausal symptoms, sexual function, and sexual activity - a cross-sectional study

Introduction

To analyse the possible association between menopausal symptoms (somatic-vegetative, psychological, and urogenital) and sexual function with the maintenance of the sexual activity of women in menopause.

Material and methods

This cross-sectional study comprised 96 menopausal women aged 40-59 (52.88 ±4.05) years, who presented a positive score to the menopause rating scale (MRS) and had serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone ≥ 25 IU/ml. Participants who used hormone replacement therapy were excluded.

Results

It was observed that participants who had an active sexual life had lower medians in the somatic-vegetative (p < 0.001) and psychological symptoms (p = 0.006), as well as in the general score (p = 0.001) at the MRS; in addition, they had better sexual function in 4 domains (p < 0.005): excitement, lubrication, orgasm, and pain, as well as in the total score of the female sexual function index questionnaire (p < 0.005). It was also found that, regardless of the type of menopause (surgical or natural), women who did not engage in sexual activity had a score of 5.651 points more in the MRS (p = 0.004), demonstrating that the practice of sexual activity predicts in 10.4% the variation in the symptom score.

Conclusions

Menopausal women who maintain sexual activity had a lower score on the menopause symptom score and better sexual function compared to those who did not perform sexual activity.

Can mat Pilates and belly dance be effective in improving body image, self-esteem, and sexual function in patients undergoing hormonal treatment for breast cancer? A randomized clinical trial

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of a 16-week exercise intervention (mat Pilates or belly dance) on body image, self-esteem and sexual function in breast cancer survivors receiving hormone therapy. Seventy-four breast cancer survivors were randomly allocated into mat Pilates, belly dance, or control group. The physical activity groups received a 16-week intervention, delivered 3 days a week, and 60 min a session. The control group received three education sessions. Data collection occurred at baseline, post-intervention, 6 and 12 months of follow-up with a questionnaire including body image (Body Image After Breast Cancer Questionnaire), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), and sexual function (Female Sexual Function Index) measures. The belly dance group significantly improved body image on limitations scale in the short term and long term, the mat Pilates significantly improved body image on limitations only in the long term, and the control group significantly decreased body image on limitations in the long term. The belly dance group experienced reduced discomfort and pain during sexual relations in the short and long term. All groups showed a significant improvement in self-esteem, but orgasm sub-scale scores declined over time. No adverse events were found for any of the exercise intervention groups. Belly dance seem to be more effective than mat Pilates and control group in improving limitations of body image and sexual discomfort in the short term for breast cancer survivors. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03194997) - "Pilates and Dance to Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Treatment".

Factors Associated with Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Breast Cancer Survivors from the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil: Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Oxygen consumption (VO2) is indicative of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and lower levels are related to a higher risk of total mortality among individuals with cancer whose therapy can have adverse consequences on the cardiovascular system. Objective: To examine the associations of patient-reported sociodemographic, clinical, anthropometric outcomes and functional variables with CRF in 69 women (55±10 years) and to identify whether walking is a predictor of peak VO2 variation in this population with breast cancer (BC). Method: Female BC survivors receiving hormone therapy after two types of surgery (breast-conserving and mastectomy) underwent a CRF test on a cycle ergometer to measure peak VO2. A questionnaire containing sociodemographic, clinical data, patient reported outcomes (PROs) (depressive symptoms, sleep quality, fatigue, body image) and self-reported walking and tests to measure body fat percentage, waist circumference, flexibility and shoulder range of motion (RoM) were performed. Results: Unemployment and retirement were associated with low CRF, as was the use of aromatase inhibitors instead of tamoxifen. Depressive symptoms, worse body image, greater waist circumference, less flexibility and shoulder RoM were also associated with low CRF. Walking duration, controlled for age and body mass index (BMI), is a 13% predictor of peak VO2 variance in this sample. Conclusion: These factors must be considered in understanding the CRF profile of BC survivors. As walking was a predictor of peak VO2 variance, it should be recommended as a type of physical activity for patients with BC using hormone therapy.

How do Body Practices Affect the Psychological Aspects of Survivors Women Undergoing Treatment for Breast Cancer? Systematic Literature Review

Introduction: Body practices can bring physical, psychological benefits and social rehabilitation and may be an alternative treatment for breast cancer. Objective: To analyze the evidence of the results of body practices over the psychological aspects of survivors women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Method: Systematic blind and independent review from September to December 2021 following the PRISMA guidelines, carried out in the databases: Embase Elsevier; PubMed Central; ScienceDirect; Scopus Elsevier and Web of Science – Core Collection. Results: Of 1,372 studies identified, 22 were included in this systematic review. Among the practices that stood out are meditation and Yoga, with anxiety being the most investigated variable by the studies. It is clear that body practices are options for non-pharmacological clinical treatments utilized in clinical practice by different health professionals in women who have survived breast cancer. Conclusion: Body practices proved to be beneficial in the treatment and psychological health of women who survived breast cancer. This evidence may help to implement body practices as a therapeutic resource to be used in the clinical practice of health professionals. However, more randomized clinical trials that follow study protocols more rigorously are suggested, so that the effectiveness of this approach can be evaluated in different clinical outcomes.

An Overview on the Evidence of Physical Activity Interventions in the Health of Individuals with Head and Neck Cancer: Literature Systematic Review

Introduction: Head and neck cancer is considered a global public health problem, which arises in aesthetically and functionally critical areas. The practice of physical exercise has been considered one of the significant and effective non-pharmacological strategies to minimize the physical and psychological consequences. Objective: To analyze the evidence of physical activity interventions in the physical and psychological health of individuals with head and neck cancer. Method: A systematic review was conducted blindly and independently, from March to May 2021, according to the PRISMA guidelines. The search was performed in the following databases: PubMed Central®; Cochrane Library; Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect. Results: Of the 515 selected studies, 15 were included in this systematic review with a total of 670 participants aged between 18 and 76 years old. The studies included aerobic exercises, endurance, mobility, stretching, strengthening, and yoga. Conclusion: Evidence proves that physical activity interventions performed with individuals with head and neck cancer may be beneficial in the treatment and physical/psychological health of this population. This study may help new researches considering the detailed information described previously regarding the interventions applied, in addition to discussing the most used instruments with this public and indicating the modalities that are being safely performed. It is suggested that more randomized trials be conducted to obtain more concise results.

[Incidence of peri-intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm newborn infants with birth weight less than 1500 gms: evaluation of brain ultrasonographic studies and necropsy]

From January to December 1986, 120 preterm infants were born with birth-weight under 1500 gm. Eighty-five infants were included in the study group either because they had a cranial sonographic evaluation or a necropsy. The mortality rate was 70% for the study group, but was 52.5% for the whole period. The sonographic examination was performed in 41 infants. The incidence of periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage (PIVH) was 42.3%. Twenty-three cases had PIVH grade II (63.8%), 10 grade I (27.7%), and 3 (8.3%) grade IV. Thirteen infants had sonographic and necroscopic examinations. We observed a total agreement between sonographic and necroscopic diagnosis in 9 cases (69%). Two cases were classified as partial agreement as they differed only in the grading of PIVH, whereas in two cases there was a false negative diagnosis in the ultrasound examination. The interval between the examinations in these two false negative cases was 53 and 20 days, respectively. We conclude that the incidence of PIVH found in our study is comparable to that of the literature and that cranial ultrasonography is a sensitive neuroimage technique for the diagnosis of PIVH in the newborn preterm infant.