Impact of Dancing on Physical and Mental Health: A Systematic Literature Review

Dance, as an expressive art, has increasingly been recognised for its significant impact on physical and mental health. This comprehensive literature review delves into the multifaceted effects of dancing across various populations and settings, emphasising its implementation in Dance Movement Thera...

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Published in:Dance Research
Main Author: Chen Y.; Wang S.; Ametefe D.S.; John D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Edinburgh University Press 2024
Online Access:https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85208620487&doi=10.3366%2fdrs.2024.0432&partnerID=40&md5=5b460e355337874c7faa997d4b4f326b
id 2-s2.0-85208620487
spelling 2-s2.0-85208620487
Chen Y.; Wang S.; Ametefe D.S.; John D.
Impact of Dancing on Physical and Mental Health: A Systematic Literature Review
2024
Dance Research
42
2
10.3366/drs.2024.0432
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85208620487&doi=10.3366%2fdrs.2024.0432&partnerID=40&md5=5b460e355337874c7faa997d4b4f326b
Dance, as an expressive art, has increasingly been recognised for its significant impact on physical and mental health. This comprehensive literature review delves into the multifaceted effects of dancing across various populations and settings, emphasising its implementation in Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) and Dance for Health (DfH) programmes. Central themes explored include: (1) the role of dance in enhancing neurological and cognitive functions through DMT; (2) its therapeutic potential in mental health and emotional well-being, primarily through DMT; and (3) the physical health benefits realised in DfH settings, encompassing aspects like cardiovascular health, muscular strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. In this study, forty-eight (48) peer-reviewed studies from prominent databases, spanning the period from 2020 to 2023 were scrutinised. The analysis reveals the extensive applications of dance, from rehabilitative therapy for neurodegenerative disorders to a catalyst for psychological resilience and social integration. Crucially, the review identifies under-researched areas such as the long-term effects of dance therapy, its impacts on specific demographic groups, and the integration of technology in dance practices. Additionally, the findings highlight the diverse nature of the health impacts of dance within DMT and DfH, underscoring both the empirical evidence of its benefits and the challenges, including accessibility and cultural adaptability. This review thus acts both as a retrospective examination and a forward-looking guide, offering insights for healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers into the complex relationship between dance and overall human health. © Edinburgh University Press.
Edinburgh University Press
2642875
English
Article

author Chen Y.; Wang S.; Ametefe D.S.; John D.
spellingShingle Chen Y.; Wang S.; Ametefe D.S.; John D.
Impact of Dancing on Physical and Mental Health: A Systematic Literature Review
author_facet Chen Y.; Wang S.; Ametefe D.S.; John D.
author_sort Chen Y.; Wang S.; Ametefe D.S.; John D.
title Impact of Dancing on Physical and Mental Health: A Systematic Literature Review
title_short Impact of Dancing on Physical and Mental Health: A Systematic Literature Review
title_full Impact of Dancing on Physical and Mental Health: A Systematic Literature Review
title_fullStr Impact of Dancing on Physical and Mental Health: A Systematic Literature Review
title_full_unstemmed Impact of Dancing on Physical and Mental Health: A Systematic Literature Review
title_sort Impact of Dancing on Physical and Mental Health: A Systematic Literature Review
publishDate 2024
container_title Dance Research
container_volume 42
container_issue 2
doi_str_mv 10.3366/drs.2024.0432
url https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85208620487&doi=10.3366%2fdrs.2024.0432&partnerID=40&md5=5b460e355337874c7faa997d4b4f326b
description Dance, as an expressive art, has increasingly been recognised for its significant impact on physical and mental health. This comprehensive literature review delves into the multifaceted effects of dancing across various populations and settings, emphasising its implementation in Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) and Dance for Health (DfH) programmes. Central themes explored include: (1) the role of dance in enhancing neurological and cognitive functions through DMT; (2) its therapeutic potential in mental health and emotional well-being, primarily through DMT; and (3) the physical health benefits realised in DfH settings, encompassing aspects like cardiovascular health, muscular strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. In this study, forty-eight (48) peer-reviewed studies from prominent databases, spanning the period from 2020 to 2023 were scrutinised. The analysis reveals the extensive applications of dance, from rehabilitative therapy for neurodegenerative disorders to a catalyst for psychological resilience and social integration. Crucially, the review identifies under-researched areas such as the long-term effects of dance therapy, its impacts on specific demographic groups, and the integration of technology in dance practices. Additionally, the findings highlight the diverse nature of the health impacts of dance within DMT and DfH, underscoring both the empirical evidence of its benefits and the challenges, including accessibility and cultural adaptability. This review thus acts both as a retrospective examination and a forward-looking guide, offering insights for healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers into the complex relationship between dance and overall human health. © Edinburgh University Press.
publisher Edinburgh University Press
issn 2642875
language English
format Article
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