gms | German Medical Science

The aim of this study was to investigate the flow experience as a therapeutic factor in dance/movement therapy. Based on the literature about the flow experience, we conducted a study with N=102 participants. The participants were randomized into a DMT experimental group (improvisation; N=50) vs. a non-DMT control group (functional movement; N=52). Psychological well-being was measured before and after the intervention, the flow experience was measured at post-test. Results suggest that improvisation increased the flow experience (p=.000) and psychological well-being (p=.002) more than functional movement. In a mediation analysis the flow experience was identified as a partial mediator for the increase of well-being with the effect size of eta2 =.241. In addition, both interventions decreased the stress level (VAS) significantly, but the flow experience was not a mediator for the decrease of stress. The flow experience was identified as a therapeutic factor, mediating the effect of the movement intervention on well-being. Ideas for further research are discussed.