The effect of dancing interventions on depression symptoms, anxiety, and stress in adults without musculoskeletal disorders: An integrative review and meta-analysis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE\nTo examine the effect of dancing interventions on depression symptoms, anxiety, and stress in adults with and without musculoskeletal disorders, and to determine the duration of the effectiveness of a dancing intervention.\n\n\nMETHODS\nFive electronic databases, CINAHL, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and PsycINFO were searched from January 2010 to March 2021. Data were extracted for a quality synthesis and meta-analysis, and GRADEpro software was used to rate the quality of evidence.\n\n\nRESULTS\nTwenty-eight randomized controlled trials involving 2249 eligible subjects were selected. They were found to be of satisfactory quality (fair n\xa0=\xa012, good n\xa0=\xa016). These studies revealed that dance interventions had a significant effect on relieving depression symptoms (SMD\xa0=\xa0-0.69, 95\xa0% CI -0.91 to -0.35, p\xa0<\xa00.001), anxiety (SMD\xa0=\xa0-0.99, 95\xa0% CI\xa0=\xa0-1.92 to -0.05, p\xa0<\xa00.05), and stress (SMD\xa0=\xa0-1.0, 95\xa0% CI\xa0=\xa0-1.83 to -0.17, p\xa0<\xa00.05). Exposure to a dancing intervention for at least 150\xa0min per week was found to have reduced depression symptoms (SMD\xa0=\xa0-0.72, 95\xa0% CI -0.20, -0.25, p\xa0<\xa00.01). The quality of evidence ranged from very low to low.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nThis review indicates that dancing interventions significantly reduce depression symptoms, stress, and anxiety; and adults with or without musculoskeletal disorders would benefit from engaging in a dancing intervention for at least 150\xa0min per week. Dancing interventions are recommended to be incorporated in health promotion activities to promote psychological wellbeing.