A dance of possibilities: A three-study inquiry of dance/movement therapy as an intervention in treatment resistant depression

Abstract

This thesis includes three research projects designed to explore the influence of dance/movement therapy on emotional regulation in adults with a diagnosis of treatment resistant depression. Each study offers a different perspective on this topic, that is, from current literature (via a systematic review and meta-analysis), from dance/movement therapists (via a descriptive survey), and participants with lived experience (via a convergent parallel mixed methods case series). The first research project, a systematic review and meta-analysis titled ‘Dance therapy as an intervention for stress and depression’ included a total sample of 613 adults presenting with the primary symptom clusters..