Backing the Backbones—A Feasibility Study on the Effectiveness of Dance Movement Psychotherapy on Parenting Stress in Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP) utilises the therapeutic power of dance within a psychotherapeutic frame to both alleviate distress as well as promote overall wellbeing. The effectiveness of an integrative approach to DMP was explored on the parenting stress experienced by the caregivers of children on the autism spectrum. The present study was conducted in India. Twelve caregivers of children on the autism spectrum from different regions of India were recruited from a special education setting. They were divided into experimental (intervention) and control groups (waiting list) and were evaluated before and after six DMP group sessions. Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) were the tools used for assessment. The comparisons of pre and post intervention assessments indicate reduction in parenting stress scores after DMP intervention. The results suggest that integrative approach to DMP may be an effective option to support the caregivers of children on the autism spectrum to maintain their state of wellbeing. Difficulty in recruiting the participants and to assign them randomly were the limitations of this study. However, the findings of the study merit further explorations with larger samples and in-depth study of the therapeutic process.