Objective: To 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.
Methods: Five 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.
Results: Twenty-eight randomized controlled trials involving 2249 eligible subjects were selected. They were found to be of satisfactory quality (fair n = 12, good n = 16). These studies revealed that dance interventions had a significant effect on relieving depression symptoms (SMD = -0.69, 95 % CI -0.91 to -0.35, p < 0.001), anxiety (SMD = -0.99, 95 % CI = -1.92 to -0.05, p < 0.05), and stress (SMD = -1.0, 95 % CI = -1.83 to -0.17, p < 0.05). Exposure to a dancing intervention for at least 150 min per week was found to have reduced depression symptoms (SMD = -0.72, 95 % CI -0.20, -0.25, p < 0.01). The quality of evidence ranged from very low to low.
Conclusions: This 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 min per week. Dancing interventions are recommended to be incorporated in health promotion activities to promote psychological wellbeing.
Keywords: Adult; Anxiety; Dancing; Depression symptoms; Stress.
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