title: The effects of a standardized belly dance program on perceived pain, disability, and function in women with chronic low back pain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An alternative approach to facilitate movement and control through the trunk and pelvis is belly dancing. Investigations of belly dancing mechanics indicate similar muscular activation patterns of those known to influence chronic low back pain (cLBP). However, no documented studies have examined its effectiveness as a treatment for cLBP.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of a standardized belly dance program in women with cLBP.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single subject design was used to evaluate weekly outcomes during a three-week baseline period, six-week belly dance program, and again at a two-month follow-up. Outcome measures for pain, disability, function, and fear-avoidance beliefs were utilized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two subjects completed the program. No significant differences were noted during the baseline assessment period. At two months, subject one demonstrated change scores of -1.12, -1%, and 2.2 for pain, disability, and function respectively while subject two demonstrated change scores of 5.4, 5%, and 1.1 for pain, disability, and function, respectively. Subject one showed a clinically significant change score for both fear avoidance of work and physical activity, with score changes of 4 and 3.3, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggest a standardized belly dance program may positively influence pain and function in women with cLBP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Professions, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Tabitha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Castrillon
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Professions, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA.
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Hanney
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Professions, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Carey E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Rothschild
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Morey J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kolber
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Management and Informatics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Xinliang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masaracchio
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy; D003615:Dancing; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Complementary and alternative medicine; core stabilization; lumbago; lumbopelvic