The intervention group underwent dance movement therapy.

The control group received yoga training.

Our DMT program was adapted from an integrated somatic dance and visual arts program previously applied to the older population (Hsu, 2023). The intervention was scheduled in the afternoon and lasted for approximately 2 h. As previously recommended, rhythmic and contralateral movements on both sides of the body were emphasized in this study to enhance coordination and stimulation between the left and right cerebral hemispheres (Phillips-Silver and Trainor, 2007). The experimental groups were then subdivided into six groups. Balloons half-filled with water were used as the game in this study to guide individual and grouping rhythms and movements. Additionally, painting was incorporated to help participants understand their bodies and psychological states (Tjasink et al., 2023). Finally, group discussions and mutual support, along with verbal sharing after the DMT exercise, were encouraged.

The Compassionate Engagement and Action Scales, developed by Gilbert et al. (2017), comprises three subscales assessing different aspects of compassion: compassion for self, compassion for others, and compassion from others, each consisting of 13 items.

The Fear of Compassion Scales consist of three subscales designed to assess the fear of compassion: fear of compassion for others (10 items), fear of compassion from others (13 items), and fear of compassion for oneself (15 items) .