Effects of psychotherapy with ballet and dance on the quality of life of women with breast cancer

Abstract

Introduction: cancer is one of the main causes of mortality in the world. The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimates 28 million new cases a year by 2040. The practice of physical activity in cancer patients and survivors is an area of interest due to the increase in this population and the need to adopt healthy lifestyle habits. Compliance with exercise recommendations improves the prognosis and reduces the risk of recurrence, while improving cardiovascular health, mood, and quality of life. Objective: to demonstrate the efficacy of a psychotherapy treatment with ballet in the anxiety variable of a group of women with breast cancer. Method: a study with a quasi-experimental design was carried out at the Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, de Santander, Cantabria (España) en 2022. Twenty-six women between the ages of 30 to 70 diagnosed with breast cancer and in the process of oncological treatment participated. A ballet program was applied to them for 9 months and their state anxiety was evaluated before and after the sessions, for which the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used. Results: all state anxiety in the participants was reduced after the ballet psychotherapy sessions. Conclusions: the results indicate that ballet psychotherapy treatment favors a beneficial recovery of the cancer patient, reducing anxiety, an important predictor variable of the patient's evolution.

Keywords

• cáncer de mama
• ansiedad
• psicoballet
• danza
• actividad física
• calidad de vida