Definition of Dance Therapy
Dance therapy, also called dance/movement therapy (DMT), uses movement and dance as a way to support emotional, cognitive, physical, and social integration. It is based on the idea that body movement reflects inner emotional states, and that by engaging in intentional, expressive, and often structured movement, individuals can explore feelings, reduce stress, improve wellbeing, and promote personal growth.
Explore dance therapy research in the following databases:
PubMed Trip Cochrane*
*The Cochrane database requires users to enter the search term manually. Please enter ‘dance therapy’.
AI Search: Access Semantic Scholar’s results on dance therapy. Semantic Scholar
Learn more about our 3 research databases and AI search platform HERE.
Research Spotlight
The databases often return hundreds of medical studies for a single wellness approach. This section provides a sampling of studies – providing just a taste of the available research.
- Dance and Stress Regulation: A Multidisciplinary Narrative Review
This 2025 multidisciplinary review explores how dance can help regulate stress by examining perspectives across psychology, neurobiology, physiology, and socio-cultural studies. It highlights that dance uniquely integrates elements—such as music and rhythm, social connection and partner interaction, and physical movement—that are each known to reduce stress. Evidence demonstrates that these aspects influence key neurochemicals like dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins, which interact with the body’s stress system to promote coping and resilience. Additionally, the cultural and communal dimensions of dance—its role as a universal form of expression and shared ritual—enhance its effectiveness as a tool for collective emotional support. Although existing research often focuses narrowly on exercise intensity, the review underscores the need for more holistic investigation into how dance exerts its stress-regulating benefits. Access this study on dance therapy. - Evidence of the Effects of Dance Interventions on Adults’ Mental Health: A Systematic Review
This systematic review from 2023 evaluated randomized clinical trials analyzing dance interventions in adults aged 18 to 62 and found that, regardless of dance style—ranging from Biodanza and Latin dances like tango or rumba to Dance Movement Therapy—participants consistently experienced reductions in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress compared to those who did not engage in any intervention. Access this study on dance therapy. - The Effects of a Dance Intervention on Somatic Symptoms and Emotional Distress in Adolescent Girls: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This 2020 study involved 112 adolescent girls (ages 13–18) experiencing stress-related physical complaints (like headaches, stomachaches, fatigue) and emotional distress. Half participated in twice-weekly, after-school dance sessions over eight months that emphasized enjoyment and social interaction. Compared to a control group, the dance group reported significantly greater reductions in both somatic symptoms and emotional distress at the post-intervention follow-up. However, these benefits were not sustained one year later, indicating the importance of continued participation for long-term impact. Access this study on dance therapy. - Dance Training Is Superior to Repetitive Physical Exercise in Inducing Brain Plasticity in the Elderly
This exploratory six-month study from 2018 compared a challenging dance program—one that continually taught older adults (aged 63–80) new and increasingly complex choreographies—with a conventional fitness training routine of matched physical intensity. Both groups improved their overall fitness to a similar degree, but only the dance group showed significant increases in brain volume across multiple key areas, including the cingulate cortex, insula, corpus callosum, and sensorimotor cortex. Notably, the dance group also experienced a rise in blood levels of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which supports brain cell growth and resilience. Overall, this study suggests that dance—due to its blend of physical and cognitive demands—is particularly effective at promoting neuroplasticity and may be a promising strategy for mitigating age-related brain decline. Access this study on dance therapy. - Dance for Neuroplasticity: A Descriptive Systematic Review
This systematic review from 2018 examined clinical trials investigating the effects of dance on the adult brain. The findings showed that regular dance practice can lead to structural and functional brain changes, including increases in hippocampal volume, improvements in gray and white matter integrity, and enhanced levels of neurotrophic factors that support brain cell health. These changes were associated with better memory, attention, balance, and emotional wellbeing. Overall, the evidence suggests that dance is not only a form of physical activity but also a powerful tool for promoting neuroplasticity and maintaining cognitive health across adulthood. Access this study on dance therapy. - Argentine Tango Dance Compared to Mindfulness Meditation and a Waiting-List Control: A Randomised Trial for Treating Depression
This randomized controlled trial from 2012 compared Argentine tango dance, mindfulness meditation, and a control group in adults with depression. Ninety-seven participants with self-reported depression were randomly assigned to one of three groups: tango dance, mindfulness meditation, or a control group. Over six weeks, both the tango and meditation groups showed significant reductions in depression compared to the control group, with the tango group also experiencing reduced stress. The study suggests that tango dance, like mindfulness meditation, may be an effective complementary approach for improving mood and managing stress. Access this study on dance therapy.
Studies-in-Progress/Clinical Trials Underway
A clinical trial is any research study that assigns people to health-related interventions to evaluate the outcomes. “Interventions” include drugs, surgical procedures, devices, behavioral treatments, preventive care, etc.
- ClinicalTrials.gov: search ‘dance therapy’ in box on left that says “intervention/treatment”.
- World Health Organization: explore trials happening across the globe. When you reach WHO’s search page, please type in ‘dance therapy’.
Access all studies currently available for dance therapy in these databases:
PubMed Trip Cochrane* Semantic Scholar
*The Cochrane database requires users to enter the search term manually. Please enter ‘dance therapy’.
