Using implementation methods to study a combined dance/movement therapy (DMT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) protocol at an inpatient substance use setting

There is evidence that dance/movement therapy (DMT) has positive outcomes for patients with various conditions when used either as a standalone therapy or when coupled with a gold standard modality such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This combined DMT/CBT has yet to be studied for patients struggling with alcohol and substance use disorders from a structured, manualized, implementation perspective. The current study outlines patient engagement and satisfaction with a 4-session DMT/CBT program at an inpatient addiction treatment facility. The 4-session manualized DMT/CBT protocol comprised “impulse inventory,” “studying impulses,” “subconscious movement,” and “body language.” Participants reported the most engagement in “studying impulses” and attended an average of 2.38 sessions during their time in treatment. Most patients reported receiving some (55%) or substantial (23%) benefit from the protocol. These findings lay the foundation to better optimize a DMT/CBT protocol for patients struggling with alcohol and substance use disorders. However, about a quarter of patients received no benefit from the group (23%), highlighting known barriers to DMT in general. Findings can help small inpatient facilities utilize information toward next steps of optimizing a DMT/CBT protocol.