Dance and Movement Therapy Methods for Compassion Satisfaction, Burnout, and Compassion Fatigue in Nurses: A Pilot Study

The current semi-experimental pilot study was conducted to investigate the effects of dance and movement therapy methods (DMTM) on compassion satisfaction, burnout, and compassion fatigue in nurses using a pre-/posttest design. Nurses ( N = 8) with low compassion satisfaction, high burnout, and high compassion fatigue participated in eight sessions of DMTM. Upon completion of the program, average compassion satisfaction levels increased, and burnout and compassion fatigue levels decreased. Although further testing with larger samples is necessary, preliminary results indicate DMTM is effective for addressing compassion satisfaction, burnout, and compassion fatigue in nurses. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 58 (4), 43–51.]