Table IV.
Detailed Summary of the Dance Research Results
| Citation | Wellbeing/Cognition/Physical Health | Participant Demographics | Activity | Study Design/ Measurement/ Measurement Tool/ Type of Data |
Results/Key Concepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coubard et al. (2011) | Cognition | N = 110 (104 females) Age 65–83 years France |
Dance vs. fall prevention classes vs. tai chi | Comparative study Attention switching Cognitive flexibility Performance tests Quantitative |
Positive improvement in dance group compared with other groups |
| Cruz-Ferreira et al. (2015) | Wellbeing | N = 57 women 65–80 years Portugal |
Contemporary dance | Randomized control trial Physical fitness Life satisfaction Questionnaire Fitness test Quantitative |
Positive improvement in intervention group |
| Dewhurst et al. (2014) | Physical health | N = 60 women Average age ~67.6 years Scotland |
Scottish country dancing | Comparative study Functional ability Balance Performance tests Quantitative |
Positive change in intervention group |
| Duberg et al. (2016) | Wellbeing | N = 112 girls Age 13–18 years Sweden |
Contemporary dance | Randomized control study Emotional expression Social competence Self-report diary Interview Qualitative |
Positive associations with dance |
| Filar-Mierzwa et al. (2017) | Physical health | N = 24 All women Age 61–74 years Poland |
Dance | Pre-test/post-test Balance Posture Fall prevention Performance test Quantitative |
Positive improvement in dance group |
| Granacher et al. (2012) | Physical health | N = 28 (17 female) Age 63–82 years Germany |
Salsa dancing | Randomized control trial Static/dynamic postural control Leg extensor power Performance tests Questionnaire Quantitative |
Positive improvement in dance group |
| Huang et al. (2012) | Physical health | N = 79 (across 2 primary schools) 8–11 years New York |
Ballroom dancing | Pre-test/post-test Time involved in physical activity Heart rate Direct monitoring/observation Biometric data Quantitative |
Positive improvement post-test |
| Jan-Christoph et al. (2010) | Cognition and physical health | N = 62 (49 female) Age 61–94 years Germany |
Ballroom dance | Comparative study Everyday competence Cognitive performance Multiple-choice reaction time measurement Motor and tactile performance Performance tests Quantitative |
Positive changes in intervention group |
| Kattenstroth et al. (2013) | Cognition and physical health | N = 35 (25 women) Age 60–94 years Germany |
Dance class (specifically designed for aged participants) | Pre-test/post-test Posture Motor performance Cognitive performance Tactile performance Reaction time Performance tests Quantitative |
Positive change in intervention group |
| Kreutz (2008) | Wellbeing | N = 110 (41.4% female) Age ~37.96 years Netherlands and Germany |
Ballroom dancing | Exploratory Interview Participant observation Qualitative |
Positive associations with dance |
| Merom et al. (2016) | Physical health | N = 530 (across 23 self-care retirement villages) 85% female Mean age 78 years old Sydney, Australia |
Social dance class (folk or ballroom dancing) | Randomized control trial Falls Fall related mechanisms Self-report Performance tests Mixed methods |
No improvement |
| Moe (2014) | Wellbeing | N = 16 women Age >50 years USA |
Belly dancing | Participant observation Interviews Qualitative |
Positive |
| Muro and Artero (2017) | Wellbeing | N = 201 women Age ~20.88 years Spain |
Modern dance | Pre-test/post-test Life satisfaction Mindfulness Questionnaire Quantitative |
Positive associations |
| Murrock and Gary (2008) | Physical health | N = 126 women Age 36–82 years USA |
Contemporary dance | Quasi-experimental Functional capacity Performance test Quantitative |
Positive improvement in intervention group |
| Nadasen (2008) | Wellbeing | N = 30 women Age 60–82 years South Africa |
Line dancing | Participant observation Social activity Interview Qualitative |
Positive improvement |
| Pacheco et al. (2016) | Physical health | N = 27 women Age >60 years Colombian Caribbean region |
Colombian Caribbean folk dance | Pre-test/post-test Cardiorespiratory function Strength Balance Direct observation Quantitative |
Positive improvement in intervention group |
| Pinniger et al. (2012) | Wellbeing | N = 66 (90.0% female) Age 18–80 years Australia |
Tango vs. meditation vs. control | Randomized control trial Depression, anxiety and stress Self-esteem Life satisfaction Mindfulness Questionnaire Self-report Quantitative |
Positive improvement in mindfulness but not self-esteem or life satisfaction |
| Rahal et al. (2015) | Physical health | N = 76 (56% female) Age >60 years Brazil |
Ballroom dancing vs. tai chi | Comparative study Posture Balance Performance tests Quantitative |
Positive improvements for both groups |
| Vahabi and Damba (2015) | Physical health | N = 30 Women Age 22–58 years South Asian migrants in Toronto, Canada |
Bollywood dancing | Pre-test/post-test Physical activity Physical health Questionnaire Interviews Biometric data Mixed methods |
Positive improvement post-test |