Anxiety and Mood among Ballet Dancers : A Pilot Study on Effects of a Medical Approach Involving Periodic Intervention

Ballet dancers’ risk of injury is high if their state anxiety is high before a public performance. This research investigated the relationship between psychological factors and a medical approach to injury prevention for adolescent ballet dancers in Japan. 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.