Table 1.

Study characteristics chart of the included studies.

ID	Title	References	Country	N (Pre-Test)	Intervention, control group activity	Target group (Diagnosis, age range or M, SD)	Treatment intensity (Entire period, frequency, session hour)	Randomization, dropout (Percentage total)	Mean ES (di)
1	Dynamic neuro-cognitive imagery improves mental imagery ability, disease severity, and motor and cognitive functions in people with Parkinson's disease	Abraham et al., 2018	USA	20 NEG = 10 NCG = 10	DMT, Active (Learning + Exercise)	Parkinson disease, Elderly (MEG = 66.4; SDEG = 12.5)	2 weeks 5 × per week 120 min	Yes, Not Reported	0.41
2	Effectiveness of a combined dance and relaxation intervention on reducing anxiety and depression and improving quality of life among the cognitively impaired elderly	Adam et al., 2016	Malaysia	84 NEG = 44 NCG = 40	Dance (poco-poco dance), Active (Relaxation exercise)	Cognitive deficits, Elderly (M = 70.87; SD = 8.19)	6 weeks 2 × per week 60 min	No, Not Reported	1.43
3	Backing the backbones—a feasibility study of effectiveness of dance movement psychotherapy on parenting stress in caregivers of children with autism spectrum	Aithal and Karkou, 2018	India	11 NEG = 5 NCG = 6	DMT (Indian techniques: nritta, nrutya, natya), Non-Active	Caregivers of children with ASD, Adults (28–35 years)	2 weeks 3 × per week Minutes not reported	No, 8.33%	1.80
4	Dance therapy combined with patient education improves quality of life of persons with obesity: a pilot feasibility study for a randomized controlled trial	Allet et al., 2017	Switzerland	54 NEG = 34 NCG = 33	DMT, Active (Educational sessions)	Obesity, Adults (M = 46.19; SD = 10.15)	16 weeks 2 × per week 60 min	Quasi, 20.37%	0.38
5	Effects of dance movement therapy on selected cardiovascular parameters and estimated maximum oxygen consumption in hypertensive patients	Aweto et al., 2012	Nigeria	38 NEG = 23 NCG = 15	DMT, Active (Educational sessions)	Hypertension, Adults (MEG = 44.1; SDEG = 12.7)	4 weeks 2 × per week 50 min	Yes, 24%	0.50
6	Effectiveness of dance in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized, single-blind, controlled study	Baptista et al., 2012	Brazil	75 NEG = 38 NCG = 37	Dance (Belly dance), Non-active	Fybromyalgia, Adults (18–65 years)	16 weeks 1 × per week 60 min	Yes, 6.66%	0.48
7	The effects of folk dance training on 5–6 years children's physical and social development	Biber, 2016	Turkey	40 NEG = 20 NCG = 20	Dance (Folk Dance), Non-active (TAU)	No Diagnosis, Children (5–6 years)	8 weeks 4 × per week 40 min	No, 0%	2.32
8	Dance movement therapy group intervention in stress treatment: a randomized controlled trial (RCT) AND The efficacy of dance movement therapy group on improvement of quality of life: a randomized controlled trial	Bräuninger, 2012a,b	Germany	162 NEG = 97 NCG = 65	DMT, Non-active	Stressed, Adults (16–65 years)	12 weeks 1 × per week 90 min	Yes, 8.02%	0.36
9	Enhancing positive affect and divergent thinking abilities: Play some music and dance	Campion and Levita, 2014	UK	56 NEG = 15 NCG1 = 13 NCG2 = 14 NCG3 = 14	Dance, active (Quiet, listening to music, cycling)	No diagnosis Young adults (18–23 years)	One session 5 min	Yes, 7.14%	−0.17
10	Efficacy of caregiver-mediated joint engagement intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorders	Chiang et al., 2016	Taiwan	34 NEG = 18 NCG = 16	DMT (Creative movement play) + adapted joint engagement, Non-active (TAU)	Autism Children (2–4 years)	8 weeks 2 × per week 60 min	Quasi, Not Reported	0.61
11	Creative dance improves physical fitness and life satisfaction in older women	Cruz-Ferreira et al., 2015	Portugal	57 NEG = 32 NCG = 25	Dance (Creative dance), Non-active	No diagnosis elderly (65–80 years)	24 weeks 3 × per Week 50 min	Yes, 0%	2.54
12	Dance therapy improves motor and cognitive functions in patients with Parkinson's disease	De Natale et al., 2017	Italy	16 NEG = 9 NCG = 7	Dance (Tango), Non-active (TAU)	Parkinson disease Elderly (M = 67; SD = 6.9)	10 weeks 2 × per week 60 min	No, 12.5%	0.25
13	Influencing self-rated health among adolescent girls with dance intervention	Duberg et al., 2013	Sweden	101 NEG = 48 NCG = 53	Dance (African, Jazz, Contemporary), Non-active	No diagnosis Teenager (13–18 years)	32 weeks 2 × per week 75 min	Yes, Not Reported	0.51
14	Cognitive benefits of a dance movement therapy program in adults with intellectual disabilities	Guerra-Balic et al., 2017	Spain	28 NEG = 13 NCG = 15	DMT (Chacian approach), Non-active	Intellectual disability Adults (44–66 years)	13 weeks 2 × per week 60 min	No, Not reported	0.11
15	Effects of dance on motor functions, cognitive functions, and mental symptoms of Parkinson's disease: a quasi-randomized pilot trial	Hashimoto et al., 2015	Japan	46 NEG = 15 NCG = 14	Dance (Modern, Jazz, Ballet, Aerobic), Active (physical exercise) + Non-active	Parkinson-disease Elderly (Mean = 67.9; SD = 7)	12 weeks 1 × per week 60 min	Quasi, 21.74%	0.71
16	“We dance and find each other”: Effects of dance/movement therapy on negative symptoms in autism spectrum disorder	Hildebrandt et al., 2016	Germany	78 NEG = 53 NCG = 22	DMT, Non-active	ASD Teenager + Adults (14–53 years)	10 weeks 1 × per week 60 min	Yes, 57.38%	0.24
17	Effects of a short-term dance movement therapy program on symptoms and stress in patients with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy: a randomized, controlled, single-blind trial	Ho et al., 2016a	Hong Kong	139 NEG = 69 NCG = 70	DMT, Non-active (TAU)	Breast cancer Adults (18+years)	3 weeks 2 × per week 90 min	Yes, 10.77%	0.06
18	Effects of exercise training with traditional dancing on functional capacity and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia: a randomized controlled study	Kaltsatou et al., 2015	Greece	31 NEG = 16 NCG = 15	Dance (Greek traditional dance), Non-active (TAU, e.g., Psycho-therapy)	Schizophrenia Adults (Mean = 59.9; SD = 14.1)	32 weeks 3 × per week 60 min	Yes, 0%	0.35
19	Six months of dance intervention enhances postural, sensorimotor, and cognitive performance in elderly without affecting cardio-respiratory functions	Kattenstroth et al., 2013	Germany	35 NEG = 25 NCG = 10	Dance (“Agilando”-special dance for elderly), Non-active	No diagnosis Elderly (60–94 years)	24 weeks 1 × per week 60 min	Quasi, Not Reported	0.65
20	Fixing the mirrors a feasibility study of dance movement therapy on young adults with autism spectrum disorder	Koch et al., 2014	Germany	31 NEG = 16 NCG = 15	DMT, Non-active	Autism Young adults (16–47 years)	7 weeks 1 × per week 60 min	Quasi, 0%	0.55
21	Breaking barriers: evaluating an arts-based emotion regulation training in prison	Koch et al., 2014	Germany	47 NEG = 29 NCG = 18	DMT based anti-violence training, Non-active	No diagnosis, Imprisoned Adults (21–63)	1 week 5 × per week 60 min	Quasi, Not Reported	0.02
22	Embodied self in trauma and self-harm: effects of a single flamenco therapy session on traumatized in-patients. A pilot study	Koch et al., 2019	Germany	33 NEG = 16 NCG = 16	DMT (Flamenco based), Non-active (TAU)	Trauma Adults (18–59 years)	1 week 1 × per week 60 min	Quasi, 2.13%	0.54
23	Fostering social cognition through an imitation and synchronization-based dance-movement intervention in adults with autism spectrum disorder: a controlled proof-of-concept study	Koehne et al., 2016	Germany	51 NEG = 27 NCG = 24	Dance (Synchronization based movement intervention), Active (Controlled movement intervention)	High-function ASD Young adults (M = 32.75; SD = 9.1)	10 weeks 1 × per week 90 min	No, 7.27%	0.34
24	Effectiveness of dance/movement therapy on affect and psychotic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia	Lee et al., 2015	Korea	38 NEG = 18 NCG = 20	DMT, Non-active (TAU)	Schizophrenia Adults (M = 41.5; SD = 9.1)	12 weeks 1 × per week 60 min	Quasi, Not Reported	0.28
25	Overcoming disembodiment: The effect of movement therapy on negative symptoms in schizophrenia—A multicenter randomized controlled trial	Martin et al., 2016	Germany	68 NEG = 44 NCG = 24	DMT, Non-active (TAU)	Schizophrenia Adults (M = 39.84; SD = 10.35)	10 weeks 2 × per week 90 min	Yes, 30.88%	0.74
26	Does 12-week Latin dance training affect the self-confidence of the university students?	Meric and Ilhan, 2016	Turkey	60 NEG = 30 NCG = 30	Dance (Latin), Not described	No diagnosis Young adults (M = 20.4; SD = 1.99)	12 weeks 1 × per week 120 min	No, Not reported	0.66
27	Dance therapy and the public school: The development of social and emotional skills of high school students in Greece	Panagiotopoulou, 2018	Greece	23 NEG = 11 NCG = 12	DMT, Non-active	No diagnosis Teenager (16–17 years)	12 weeks 1 × per week 60 min	No, 0%	0.29
28	Argentine tango dance compared to mindfulness meditation and a waiting-list control: A randomized trial for treating depression	Pinniger et al., 2012	Australia	66 NEG = 21 NCG1 = 29 NCG2 = 16	Dance (Argentinean Tango), Active (physical exercise) + Non-active	Stress Adults (18–80 years)	24 weeks 1 × per week 90 min	Yes, 31.96%	0.39
29	Tango dance can reduce distress and insomnia in people with self-referred affective symptoms	Pinniger et al., 2013	Australia	64 NEG = 24 NCG1 = 25 NCG2 = 11 NCG3 = 12	Dance Argentinean Tango Active (Meditation, Exercise), Non-active	Stress Adults (18–68)	8 weeks 1 × per week 90 min	Yes, 34.02%	0.67
30	Changes in well-being of schizophrenic patients after movement therapy: results of a multicenter RCT-study	Pohlmann et al., 2017	Germany	36 NEG = 24 NCG = 12	DMT, Non-active	Schizophrenia Adults (18–83)	20 weeks 1 × per week 90 min	Yes, 47.06%	0.50
31	Effectiveness of group body psychotherapy for negative symptoms of schizophrenia: multicentre randomized controlled trial	Priebe et al., 2016	UK	275 NEG = 140 NCG = 135	DMT (Manualised body psychotherapy), Active (Pilates)	Schizophrenia Adults (M = 42.2; SD = 10.7)	10 weeks 2 × per week 90 min	Yes, 4.54%	0.19
32	A dance movement therapy group for depressed adult patients in a psychiatric outpatient clinic: Effects of the treatment	Pylvänäinen et al., 2015	Finland	33 NEG = 21 NCG = 12	DMT (Chacian approach), Non-active (TAU)	Depression Adults (20–59 years)	12 weeks 1 × per week 90 min	No, 22%	0.74
33	Tango for treatment of motor and non-motor manifestations in Parkinson's disease: A randomized control study	Rios Romenets et al., 2015	Canada	33 NEG = 18 NCG = 15	Dance (Argentinean Tango), Active (Self-directed exercise)	Parkinson-disease Elderly MEG = 63.2; SDEG = 9.9)	12 weeks 2 × per week 60 min	Yes, 27.27%	0.20
34	An exploratory randomized controlled trial of body psychotherapy for patients with chronic depression	Röhricht et al., 2013	UK	21 NEG = 16 NCG = 15	DMT, Non-Active (TAU)	Depression Adults (18–65 years)	10 weeks 2 × per week 90 min	Yes, 24.24%	1.16
35	Effect of dance on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life	Serrano-Guzmán et al., 2016	Spain	67 NEG = 35 NCG = 32	DMT, Non-Active (TAU)	Hypertension Adults + Elderly (62–76)	8 weeks 3 × per week 50 min	Yes, 0%	0.55
36	Effect of dance on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life	Sturm et al., 2014	Germany	40 NEG = 20 NCG = 20	Dance (Group choreography), Non-active	Cancer Adults (26–74)	5 weeks 2 × per week 60 min	Quasi, 10%	1.03
37	Dance improves functionality and psychosocial adjustment in cerebral palsy	Teixeira-Machado et al., 2017	Brazil	26 NEG = 13 NCG = 13	Dance, active (kinesiotherapy)	Cerebral Palsy Teenager + Young adults (15–29 years)	12 weeks 2 × per week 60 min	Yes, 0%	2.79
38	The effect of dance on depressive symptoms in nursing home residents	Vankova et al., 2014	Czech Republic	162 NEG = 79 NCG = 83	Dance (Exercise dance for seniors), Non-active (TAU)	Various diagnosis Elderly in nursing homes (60+ years)	12 weeks 1 × per week 60 min	Yes, Not reported	0.32
39	A pilot study to evaluate multi-dimensional effects of dance for people with Parkinson's disease	Ventura et al., 2016	USA	15 NEG = 8 NCG = 7	Dance (Ballet, Musical-Jazz) + DMT Elements, active (Parkinson support group)	Parkinson Disease Elderly (MEG = 71.8; SDEG = 3.6)	10 weeks 1 × per week 75 min	No, 0%	0.61
40	A comparison of Irish set dancing and exercises for people with Parkinson's disease: a phase II feasibility study	Volpe et al., 2013	Italy	24 NEG = 12 NCG = 12	Dance (Irish set dancing), Active (Standard physiotherapy exercises)	Parkinson- disease Elderly (56–73 years)	24 weeks 1 × per week 90 min	Yes, 0%	0.99
41	Active factors in dance/movement therapy: Specifying health effects of non-goal-orientation in movement	Wiedenhofer and Koch, 2017	Germany	56 NEG = 28 NCG = 28	DMT (Improvisational non-goal-oriented movements)	No diagnosis Adults (19–49 years)	One session 50 min	Quasi, 1.79%	0.25

NEG, number of subjects in the intervention group; NCG, number of subjects in the control group; M, mean; MEG, mean in intervention group; SDEG, standard deviation in intervention group; TAU, treatment as usual; ES, effect size. Bold values indicate the total sample of each study.