Objective:

To evaluate the effectiveness of Biodanza® intervention during three months in people with severe mental disorder and their family members. Analyze changes in quality of life (SF-36), levels of anxiety-depression (HAD) and self-esteem (RSE) caused by the intervention.

Material and Methods:

A pre-experimental study, pretest-posttest without a control group. It was held at the Day Hospital of the Mental Health Unit of the General Hospital Mancha Centro. They included twentyone people, eleven with severe mental disorder and ten family members. The Biodanza® intervention took place by a nurse once a week for three months in patients and family at a time, in addition to standard treatment. Socio-demographic data were collected, the quality of life (SF-36), anxiety-depression (HAD) and self-esteem (RSE) were measured before and after the intervention.

Results:

The mean age was 46.4 (14.2) years, 80.9% were women. As for quality of life, significant differences were observed (physical function (58.5 ± 30.6 vs 77.3 ± 19.5; p= 0.001), general health (38.4 ± 16.1 vs 55.3 ± 22.3; p = 0.001), vitality (38.2 ± 17.8 vs 55.6 ± 18.7; p = 0.001), social function (40.4 ± 22.8 vs 68.4 ± 23.8; p = 0.003) and mental health (39.1 ± 20.7 vs. 56.2 ± 15.7; p = 0.01). Significant differences were observed in anxiety levels (13.3 ± 3.9 vs 7.5 ± 3.4; p <0.001), and in levels of depression (11.3 ± 5 vs 5.9 ± 3.4; p = 0.001). Self-esteem improved significantly (24.6 ± 5.7 vs 28.5 ± 4.7; p = 0.009), when comparing pre-test and post-test.

Conclusions:

The Biodanza® intervention, when aplied together with standard treatment improves quality of life, self-esteem and reduces anxiety and depression in people with severe mental disorder and their family members after three months (with one session per week).

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