Effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions for injury in ballet dancers: A systematic review

Abstract

Background The unique repetitive nature of ballet dancing, which often involves transgressing endurance limits of anatomical structures, makes dancers prone to injury. The following systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions in the treatment of injuries in ballet dancers. Methods The review was performed in line with the PRISMA statement on preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Six electronic databases (PubMed, Ovid Embase, Cochrane, Medline, PEDro, Google Scholar) were queried. The study populations comprised active ballet dancers and/or ballet school attendees with acute and chronic injuries and those with persistent pain. There were no restrictions regarding age, sex, ethnicity or nationality. The Modified McMaster Critical Review Form for quantitative studies was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies reviewed in accordance with the relevant guidelines. Results Out of the total of 687 articles subjected to the review, 10 met the inclusion criteria. Diverse physiotherapeutic interventions were described and effectiveness was assessed using different parameters and measurements. Overall, the results indicate that physiotherapy interventions in ballet dancers exert a positive effect on a number of indices, including pain, ROM and functional status. Conclusions Due to the small amount of evidence confirming the effectiveness of physiotherapeutic interventions in ballet dancers after injuries and methodological uncertainties, it is recommended to improve the quality of prospective studies.

Perspectives and Experiences of Dance-Related Injuries: A Qualitative Survey of Adolescent Pre-Professional Ballet Dancers in Australia

“…5 There is therefore an urgent need to correct misunderstandings regarding pain and injury prevention and management in adolescent ballet dancers to ensure timely treatment and support to prevent injury chronicity. 25,38 Dance schools, teachers and professional dancers may have the most success in challenging group norms and maladaptive responses to pain and injury in adolescent ballet dancers as they may also be seen as part of the “in-group” (Figure 1).…”

“…26 Most participants consulted with physiotherapists (Table 2) and found them to provide effective treatment, which aligns with previous research findings. 1,24,25 Some participants, however, reported ongoing symptoms and/or mixed results with health professional treatment (Table 2). This study, then, provides further evidence of the need for research studies to identify effective treatment for dance-related injuries in ballet dancers.…”

“…Systematic review findings suggest that a range of physiotherapy treatments (eg, manual therapy, exercise, dry needling) may reduce pain, increase range of movement, and physical function following injury. 25 However, additional research is required as primary studies have significant methodological limitations which can influence the credibility of findings. 25 Also, given ballet dancers may try to self-manage injuries before seeking health professional input, future research should explore what therapies dancers find beneficial and barriers and enablers to seeking treatment and support.…”

“…25 However, additional research is required as primary studies have significant methodological limitations which can influence the credibility of findings. 25 Also, given ballet dancers may try to self-manage injuries before seeking health professional input, future research should explore what therapies dancers find beneficial and barriers and enablers to seeking treatment and support. 26 Currently there is no known qualitative research that has explored the perspectives and experiences of Australian adolescent novice and pre-professional ballet dancers regarding dance-related injuries.…”

“…25 However, additional research is required as primary studies have significant methodological limitations which can influence the credibility of findings. 25 Also, given ballet dancers may try to self-manage injuries before seeking health professional input, future research should explore what therapies dancers find beneficial and barriers and enablers to seeking treatment and support. 26…”