Effects of a Medical Approach Involving Periodic Intervention: An Approach towards Anxiety and Mood among Ballet Dancers

Ballet dancers are at a higher risk of injury if they are anxious before a public performance. The association between psychological elements and a medical approach to injury prevention for adolescent ballet dancers in Japan was studied in this study.

We conducted a prospective study of psychological factors and injury, based on the stress-injury model in sports. Participants were 44 elite adolescent ballet dancers (41 females, 3 males, age range 18.0-21.2 years) who were administered the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) once every two weeks for approximately one year. We divided the year into three terms according to performance competitions. The first term included the first half of the intervention, the second term followed an interruption for summer vacation and included the second half of the intervention, and the third term represented the interruption of the intervention. Data from 21 females were divided into High (H), Medium (M), and Low (L) state and trait anxiety groups and compared and examined.

The measure of feeling according to trait group did not change significantly across the entire period, but there were significant differences in tension and confusion between H and L State groups at times of important events. Before a public performance during the intervention interruption term, the Trait and State groups were significantly different on all mood scales. The total number of injuries also decreased. Therefore, a medical approach with the periodical possible relation is useful in order to manage performance anxiety and prevent injury. In the future, psychological coaching and medical management is recommended for amateur Japanese dancers during their tight performance schedule. We intend to build on this study by expanding and continuing the support provided for the participants.