EFFECTS OF BELLY DANCING ON BODY IMAGE AND SELF-ESTEEM IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER – PILOT STUDY

ABSTRACT Introduction Breast cancer has innumerable consequences in women’s lives and physical activity can be beneficial during this period. Objectives To analyze the influence of belly dancing on the body image and self-esteem of women during and after breast cancer treatment. Methods Nineteen women diagnosed with breast cancer, divided into a control group (8 women) and a study group (11 women), who were under treatment or post-treatment at the Center for Oncological Research (CEPON), participated in the study. A questionnaire was used for data collection, divided into three blocks as follows: a) general information - sociodemographic and clinical characterization; b) body image - Body Image After Breast Cancer; and c) self-esteem - Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The study group underwent a belly dance intervention consisting of 60-minute classes, twice a week, for a total period of 12 weeks. Women in the control group only maintained their routine activities. Results Significant changes were observed in the improvement of body image in the belly dance group in the pre- and post-intervention periods in the body stigma (p = 0.017) and transparency (p = 0.021) scales. There were no changes in regards to self-esteem. The control group had no changes in either body image or self-esteem. Conclusion The influence of belly dancing on the improvement of women’s body image was observed after 12 weeks of intervention. Thus, it is understood that physical activity may help these women after breast cancer, and should be encouraged by health professionals in this field. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - Investigation of treatment results.摘要 引言 乳腺癌对女性的生活产生诸多负面影响，此阶段开展体力活动对患者有益。 研究目的 分析肚皮舞对乳腺癌治疗期间及治疗后女性的身体意象与自尊的影响。 研究方法 本研究纳入19名确诊乳腺癌的女性，她们均在肿瘤研究中心（CEPON）接受治疗或处于治疗后阶段，按分组分为对照组（8名女性）与观察组（11名女性）。采用调查问卷收集数据，问卷分为三个模块：a）一般资料：社会人口学及临床特征；b）身体意象：乳腺癌后身体意象量表（Body Image After Breast Cancer）；c）自尊：罗森伯格自尊量表（Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale）。观察组接受肚皮舞干预，课程为每周2次、每次60分钟，总干预时长为12周；对照组仅维持日常活动。 研究结果 干预前后对比显示，观察组在身体污名（p=0.017）与身体透明度（p=0.021）维度上的身体意象得到显著改善；而自尊水平未出现明显变化。对照组的身体意象与自尊水平均无显著改变。 结论 12周的肚皮舞干预可改善女性的身体意象。由此可知，体力活动可助力乳腺癌患者康复，该领域的医护人员应予以推广。 证据等级：II级；治疗性研究——治疗效果评估。