Learn more about the research in this article
• "Physical exercise improves quality of life, depressive symptoms, and cognition across chronic brain disorders: a transdiagnostic systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials," Journal of Neurology, August 2019. This review of 122 studies found evidence that exercise is effective at reducing symptoms of depression and can help improve memory and executive functioning. Read the full study.
• "The Roles of Exercise and Yoga in Ameliorating Depression as a Risk Factor for Cognitive Decline," Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, December 2016. This scientific paper explores the research behind how exercise can help ease depression and potentially prevent dementia. Read the full article.
• "White Matter Integrity Declined Over 6-Months, but Dance Intervention Improved Integrity of the Fornix of Older Adults," Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, March 2017. In this study, 247 seniors were randomly assigned to one of four groups: dance classes, walking, walking and nutrition, or strength and balance sessions (active control). All study participants underwent brain imaging at the beginning of the study and again after six months to measure the white matter in their brains. The researchers found that those who did dance classes had improvements in white matter in an area of the brain related to memory and processing speed. Read the full study.
• "Cognitive Benefits of Social Dancing and Walking in Old Age: The Dancing Mind Randomized Controlled Trial," Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, February 2016. In this eight-month study of 115 adults with a mean age of 69.5 years, participants were randomly assigned to either learn ballroom dancing or participate in a walking program either alone or with a social group. Researchers found that although ballroom dancing did not improve executive function more than walking, it did improve participants' spatial memory. Read the full study.
• "Leisure Activities and the Risk of Dementia in the Elderly," The New England Journal of Medicine, June 2003. This study followed 469 subjects older than 75 for five years; they did not have dementia when enrolling in the study. They received neuropsychological tests and were interviewed about the activities they participated in. Researchers found that leisure activities were associated with a reduced risk of dementia and that "dancing was the only physical activity associated with a lower risk of dementia." As a population study, it shows a correlation but does not prove cause and effect. Read the full study.
• "Dancing or Fitness Sport? The Effects of Two Training Programs on Hippocampal Plasticity and Balance Abilities in Healthy Seniors," Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, June 2017. In this 18-month study, 14 seniors were randomly assigned to participate in a dance group, and 12 seniors were randomly assigned to a fitness group. All received cognitive and physical screening as well as brain scans. Researchers found that while both groups increased their hippocampal volume, only the dance group improved their balance. Study limitations include the small sample size and the lack of an inactive control group. Read the full study.
• "Specific dance movement therapy interventions — Which are successful? An intervention and correlation study." The Arts in Psychotherapy, November 2014. In this study, researchers gave questionnaires to 11 dance therapists to assess how dance movement therapy (DMT) can improve quality of life. The study includes an examination of how DMT incorporates mental imagery and metaphors and the research behind how DMT can help improve coordination and reduce the risk of falls in older adults. Read a summary of the study. (Fee required to access full article.)
• "Qigong and Tai Chi as Therapeutic Exercise: Survey of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Addressing Physical Health Conditions," Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, September 2019. This review of 41 studies found evidence that qigong can be an effective intervention for improving balance and preventing falls. Read a summary of the study.
• "Effects of a Short-Term Dance Movement Therapy Program on Symptoms and Stress in Patients With Breast Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy: A Randomized, Controlled, Single-Blind Trial," Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, May 2016. In this study of 139 breast cancer patients awaiting radiotherapy, those who were randomly assigned to participate in six 1.5-hour dance movement therapy sessions reported feeling significantly less stressed. Study limitations include its short duration and the fact that it relied on participants' own reporting of their stress levels. Read the full study.
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