#3 Dance benefits: exploring the topic for my MA final project
Having chosen dance as the subject for my major project, I knew that there were many aspects to it that I could focus on. One of these was the benefits of dance in relation to mental and physical health. I decided to explore this by doing some secondary research through articles and books. Surprisingly, I found a lot of information that was really interesting and kept me busy as I read it.
The annotated bibliography I have includes these articles and papers:
Promoting wellbeing and health through active participation in music and dance: a systematic review
Reference
Sheppard, A., & Broughton, M. C. (2020) ‘Promoting wellbeing and health through active participation in music and dance: a systematic review’. International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being, 15(1), 1732526. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2020.1732526
Description
The article examines the important role of well-being in the context of individuals, societies and public policies worldwide. It highlights the growing recognition of the impact of well-being on various aspects of life, including economic, health, social and cultural dimensions. The authors discuss the historical use of music and dance as therapeutic tools across cultures and time periods. The article highlights key findings on the positive contributions of dance participation to well-being and health, noting its benefits across cognitive, physical and mental health dimensions. It also addresses the need for further research, with a particular focus on different age groups and the inclusion of underrepresented populations, such as men.
Authors’ view
The authors argue for the importance of well-being and its multiple impacts on society. They argue that traditional and historical practices, such as dance and music, have significant therapeutic benefits comparable to modern pharmacological and therapeutic interventions. The authors see dance as a valuable activity that promotes social engagement, builds communities, and enhances overall well-being and health. They stress the need for expanded research to confirm the benefits of dance, particularly in preventing age-related health problems and improving the quality of life for diverse populations. Their perspective is rooted in the belief that holistic approaches, including the performing arts, are essential to comprehensive health and well-being strategies.
Relevance to my project
This article is highly relevant to my project on using dance to improve mental and physical health. The article’s emphasis on the historical use of dance for healing and the positive outcomes of dance participation across age groups and cultures strengthens the potential impact of your project. In addition, the research gaps identified, such as the under-representation of men and the need for more studies on younger populations, provide valuable insights and directions for my project to help you address these gaps and contribute to a broader understanding of dance as a tool for wellbeing.
Shall we dance? An exploration of the perceived benefits of dance on well-being
Reference
Quiroga C., Kreutz G., Clift S., & Bongard S. (2010).
‘Shall we dance? An exploration of the perceived benefits of dance on well-being’. Arts & Health: An International Journal for Research, Policy and Practice, 2(2), 149–163. https://doi.org/10.1080/17533010903488582
Description
This article examines the perceived benefits of amateur dance on the well-being of 475 non-professional adult dancers. It uses both quantitative and qualitative methods to explore how participants perceive the positive effects of dance on their emotional, physical, social and spiritual wellbeing, as well as on their self-esteem and coping strategies. It highlights the multidimensional benefits of dance, including its ability to improve mood, enhance physical health, foster social connections, and serve as a coping mechanism for stress. The article discusses the implications of these findings for health promotion and suggests directions for future research, particularly in comparing dance with other musical and physical activities.
Authors’ view
The authors emphasise the holistic view of health, which includes physical, mental and social well-being, as recognised by the World Health Organisation. They argue that while the positive effects of music on wellbeing are well documented, the benefits of dance are relatively underexplored. The authors argue for greater recognition of dance as a valuable health-promoting activity. They highlight the multidimensional benefits of dance, including emotional, physical, social and spiritual improvements, and call for more empirical research to confirm these findings and explore their potential applications in health promotion.
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Relevance to my project
This article is highly relevant to my project on using dance to improve mental and physical health. It provides empirical evidence and a strong theoretical basis to support the therapeutic benefits of dance, which is in line with my aim to create workshops and safe spaces for people. The study’s findings on the emotional, physical, social and spiritual benefits of dance reinforce the potential impact of my project. In addition, the article’s discussion of the need for further research into the specific benefits of dance, particularly in comparison to other activities, provides valuable insights and directions that can inform and strengthen my project. This is in line with my aim to contribute to a wider understanding of dance as a tool for improving wellbeing.
Arts on Prescription: A review of practice in the UK
Reference
Bungay H, Clift S.(2010) ‘Arts on Prescription: A review of practice in the UK’. Perspectives in Public Health. 130(6):277–281. doi:10.1177/1757913910384050
Description
The article explores the concept of Arts on Prescription (AoP) as a form of social prescribing, aimed at improving mental health and well-being through creative activities. It highlights the significant levels of psychosocial distress in society, as evidenced by high levels of antidepressant prescribing and significant numbers of working days lost due to stress and anxiety. The article outlines the various AoP programmes in the UK, their referral processes and the involvement of artists rather than therapists in facilitating these programmes. The challenges of proving the effectiveness of these programmes and the potential benefits of integrating AoP more widely into health systems are discussed.
Author’s view
The authors support the integration of AoP into mainstream healthcare, highlighting its potential to improve mental health and social engagement. They argue that while AoP is not intended to replace conventional therapies, it can serve as a valuable adjunct, promoting well-being and quality of life through creative activities. The author also highlights the difficulties in providing quantitative evidence of the effectiveness of AoP, but points to qualitative data and positive testimonials as evidence of its benefits. It is argued that AoP should be seriously considered by government agencies, health professionals and funders to address the current mental health crisis.
Relevance to my project
This article is highly relevant to my project on psychosocial distress and creative interventions. It provides a comprehensive overview of how creative activities can support mental health recovery and social integration, offering practical examples and discussing the evidence supporting these programmes. The author’s perspective is consistent with the potential of creative activities to alleviate mental health problems, which can be crucial for your project in advocating for alternative therapies. In addition, the challenges of proving the effectiveness of AoP and the discussion of qualitative versus quantitative evidence can inform my approach to evaluating similar interventions in my project.
Dance Emotions
Reference
Saumaa, H. (2022) ‘Dance Emotions’. Integrative and Complementary Therapies. 28:3, 134–137 https://doi.org/10.1089/ict.2022.29022.hsa
Description
The article ‘Dance Emotion’ explores the integral role of emotional well-being in overall health and how dance, specifically somatic dance practices, can contribute to this. It discusses different emotional states that people experience and how dance can help to manage these emotions, providing both healing and uplifting benefits. Somatic dance practices such as Nia, JourneyDance and 5Rhythms allow participants to move at their own comfort level, focusing on self-expression and emotional release rather than performance. The article highlights the therapeutic potential of these practices, emphasising how they can help individuals to connect with, understand and regulate their emotions.
Author’s view
The author believes that somatic dance practices are powerful tools for emotional well-being. They argue that these practices provide a safe, non-judgmental environment in which individuals can physically explore and express their emotions. The author sees dance as a form of emotional release and self-discovery, offering participants a way to experience and process emotions without verbal explanation. Emphasis is placed on the holistic benefits of dance, including emotional healing, stress reduction and increasing joy and resilience. The author also emphasises the importance of creating inclusive spaces where people can freely express their emotions through movement.
Relevance to my project
This article is highly relevant to my project on using dance to improve mental and physical health. It provides a solid grounding in the therapeutic benefits of somatic dance, which aligns with my project. The article’s detailed exploration of how dance can help individuals connect with and regulate their emotions supports the aims of my project. In addition, the emphasis on creating a non-judgmental and liberating environment for emotional expression through dance strengthens the potential impact of my project. Insights into the benefits of different somatic dance practices and the importance of emotional release through movement provide valuable guidance in structuring my workshops to effectively support participants’ emotional and mental health.
Dance Is a Healing Art
Reference
Cox L, Youmans-Jones J. ( 2023) ‘Dance Is a Healing Art’. Current Treat Options Allergy. 10:1–12. doi: 10.1007/s40521–023–00332-x.
Description
The article explores dance as a healing art from both historical and contemporary perspectives. It assesses the health benefits of dance and dance therapy in various health domains, including depression, cognitive function, neuromotor function, dementia, balance and subjective well-being. The review includes studies of a range of dance interventions, from movement therapy with certified therapists to popular dances such as ballroom dancing and ethnic dances such as the Chinese Guozhuang dance and the Native American Jingle dance.
Authors’ view
The authors present dance as a powerful therapeutic tool with profound effects on physical and psychological well-being. They highlight the role of dance in inducing therapeutic cathartic release through movement, rhythm, self-expression and community engagement. The article also discusses how dance rituals can facilitate the expression and resolution of psychological or social tensions, particularly in non-Western cultures. The authors also emphasise the physiological basis for the psychological benefits of dance, citing studies on pain threshold, social bonding and endorphin release. Overall, they argue that dance, whether in the form of dance movement therapy or recreational dance, has significant potential as a therapeutic intervention in both preventive and rehabilitative contexts.
Relevance to my project
This article is highly relevant to my project on the healing aspects of dance. It provides a comprehensive review of the health benefits of dance across different populations and health domains, including depression, cognitive function and neuromotor function. The inclusion of studies on different dance interventions and their effects on subjective well-being adds depth to my understanding of the therapeutic potential of dance. In addition, the discussion of dance rituals in non-Western cultures provides valuable insights into the cultural and historical dimensions of dance therapy. Overall, this article can serve as a rich source of evidence and perspective for my project on how dance can be used as a healing art.
