Analysis of the influence of dance movement therapy inspired by Marian Chace in the improvement of somatic and mental symptoms of individuals suffering from anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder in times of crisis

ENG- In recent years, the interconnection between body psychology and affective neuroscience has been offering new therapeutic approaches and a renewed perspective on understanding emotional disorders. One of the approaches that is accumulating empirical evidence is the use of dance as an alternative or complementary form of psychological intervention. The relationship between dance therapy, body psychology, and affective neuroscience emphasizes the integration of body and mind to promote emotional well-being, psychological balance, and mental health. From this perspective, it is argued that the impact of emotional and traumatic experiences is not only found in the mind but also in the body. This is why some authors refer to it as "the embodied mind." Although there are various approaches that employ dance therapy, one of the most documented to date is Dance Movement Therapy (DMT). The research we present, through three studies, applies DMT to individuals suffering from an anxiety disorder (AD) or anxious symptoms, as well as to those with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Anxiety disorders are a broad term used to describe a variety of disorders characterized by disproportionate feelings of fear, restlessness, worry, and apprehension. Patients suffering from anxiety lack coping and self-regulation skills, struggle to control disruptive thought patterns, and tend to have catastrophic ideas. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was estimated that stress and anxiety levels in the general population were considerably high. On the other hand, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is particularly observed in individuals who have experienced various types of potentially traumatic situations, such as violence or the threat of violence, whether in intimate or collective violence scenarios. Although DMT is primarily conducted in a group and in-person setting, this thesis will present, in the first study, an alternative, virtual, and individual design to be used in situations of confinement or other crises that make group and in-person dance impossible. Additionally, a careful coding system of the changes experienced by participants throughout the sessions is presented as the focal challenge of the second and third studies. The general objective of the thesis has been to demonstrate the effectiveness of dance movement therapy in reducing or eliminating symptoms of anxiety and the inherent suffering associated with having experienced potentially traumatic situations.The results show how DMT can be effectively used in various contexts, highlighting its relevance in contemporary mental health practices