Introduction

Dance, as well as its potential healing properties, has existed since the start of humans’ existence. However, around 70 years ago, dance started to be used as a form of therapy for a range of physical and psychological conditions, and in more recent decades, dance therapy’s implementation has spread across the globe. Various forms of dance therapy exist, such as ballroom dancing, folk dancing, and modern dancing. Though styles can vary, dance is ultimately a form of physical activity carrying benefits for children and adults that impact the body and mind, such as bolstering physical strength, boosting flexibility, relieving physical tension, reducing anxiety, and enhancing cognition. Dance therapy can be provided by dance movement therapists and can be provided through one-on-one or group sessions. Dance therapy continues to be subject to research, and as said research grows, the understanding surrounding dance therapy’s effects develops.^{1 2 3 4 5 6}

Approaches to and principles of dance therapy

Approaches to dance therapy can vary, with it being able to take place in sessions with one to multiple people and involving various forms of dance, including ballroom dancing, folk dancing, and modern dancing. The dance styles included in dance therapy, however, are approached in a relaxed and non-rigorous manner, with freestyle typically being a core component of the treatment. Ultimately, a focus on a dancer’s skills and dance expertise is not involved in dance therapy; instead, the aim of dance therapy is to enhance a patient physically and psychologically, depending on their condition. Underlying dance therapy’s bodily and mental benefits are a number of principles.^{1 3 6}

Principles underlying the physical benefits of dance therapy

Dance therapy involves lots of movements and is a form of physical exercise. The range of motion and physical exercise serves as the underlying principle for why dance therapy can benefit patients physically.³ Additionally, dance therapy has been considered a fun form of physical exercise, with research showing that the more someone enjoys a form of physical exercise, the more likely they are to habitually engage in said physical exercise and thus reap its benefits.^{2 7 8}

Principles underlying the psychological benefits of dance therapy

The use of dance therapy as a form of psychotherapy is based on the idea that there is an interconnection between the body and mind, the mind-body connection.¹ Dance therapy aims to strengthen said connection.⁹ 

The mind-body connection can be highlighted by how stress reduces our ability to deal with infections or cancers. Even how we respond to vaccination and how wounds heal is altered by stress.¹⁰

When a therapy, such as dance therapy, takes an approach focussed on the mind-body connection, it aims to strengthen the connection between the body, the mind, and behaviour. Research has found these approaches to be effective in improving the well-being of patients with anxiety and depression.¹¹

Benefits of dance therapy

Accessibility

Dance therapy has many benefits. One of them is that it can be a potentially more accessible form of therapy, explaining general high adherence to it. For example, 40 to 60 per cent of those with depression do not receive conventional treatment, such as in a hospital setting. Furthermore, those who are low-income or who have had little access to education are even less likely to receive treatment. Also, not everyone has the cognitive or linguistic skills required to access talk therapy. Additionally, another barrier to conventional therapy is poor adherence to antidepressants, sitting at 40 to 75 per cent. Though conventional treatments can be beneficial and satisfying for many patients, dance therapy may benefit those who lack access to conventional treatment or who struggle to adhere to it.^{1 6 11}

Improvement of physical ability

Balance and coordination may be improved with dance therapy, though the results of the studies have varied. Nonetheless, as dance therapy is a form of physical exercise, it carries the intrinsic benefits of physical benefits, such as bolstering physical strength, boosting flexibility, and relieving physical tension. Furthermore, the enjoyment of dance therapy may make it a form of physical exercise easier to adhere with.^{1 2 3 7 8 12}

Enhancing mental health 

Dance can enhance your mood and quality of life. It has been shown to be effective for some people in alleviating the signs and symptoms of mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression.^{1 11 13 14}

Applications of dance therapy

Dance therapy can be used to enhance your bodily and mental function. As a result, dance therapy may be applied to manage and treat a range of conditions, with a number of these conditions being listed below.^{1 11 13 14 15 16 17 18}

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Parkinson’s disease
• Chronic pain

FAQs

Do I need to have prior dance experience to participate in dance therapy?

You do not need to have prior dance experience to participate in dance therapy. Dance therapy can involve a range of dance styles, and you are not expected to be proficient in them as they are approached in a more relaxed, non-rigorous, and freestyle manner. Physical and psychological well-being is the central focus of dance therapy, not your dancing skills.³

How long does a dance therapy session typically last?

A dance therapy session typically can last from half an hour to an hour and a half. Generally, these sessions tend to take place once a week from a few weeks up to several months, depending on a patient’s condition.⁶

Can dance therapy be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment?

Dance therapy absolutely can be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment. It may even complement other therapies by enhancing your functional abilities.¹³

Does dance therapy pose any risks?

A dance movement therapist, which may be accredited by a body such as the Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy, leads dance therapy to help ensure that it is done safely, minimising risks.⁶ All physical activity, including dance therapy, however, does carry a risk of injury.¹⁹

Can I do dance therapy on my own at home?

Dance therapy can be done in a range of environments, including at home, potentially through online sessions too.²⁰

Is dance therapy suitable for individuals with physical disabilities?

Dance therapy may be suitable for those with physical disabilities to participate in and may potentially enhance their functional ability too.²¹

Can dance therapy be used as a form of self-care or stress relief?

Dance can be used as a self-care tool, providing bodily and mental benefits that can enhance your quality of life.¹ Dance therapy can reduce stress levels and, in turn, can provide physical benefits. This is because stress can make it harder for the body to heal from sickness.¹⁰

Summary

Dance therapy is a form of physical activity that can be used to help in the treatment of various physical and psychological conditions. Stylistically, dance therapy can vary and, though not exclusively, can include ballroom dancing, folk dancing, and modern dancing. Furthermore, dance therapy can occur individually or with multiple people, with sessions being led by a dance movement therapist. These sessions tend to last from half an hour to an hour and a half and occur once a week, from a few weeks up to several months, depending on a patient’s condition. Among the many conditions which may be partially or completely managed and treated with dance therapy are anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorder, Parkinson’s disease, and chronic pain.