The Effectiveness of Dance Interventions on Psychological and Cognitive Health Outcomes Compared with Other Forms of Physical Activity: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Physical activity is known to improve psychological and cognitive outcomes. Learning dance sequences may challenge cognition, partnered or group dance may benefit social interactions, and the artistic aspect may improve psychological wellbeing. Dance is an equally effective form of physical activity compared with other structured physical activities to improve physical health, but it is unclear how effective dance could be for psychological and cognitive outcome measures.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the literature on the effectiveness of structured dance interventions, compared with structured exercise programmes, on psychological and cognitive outcomes across the lifespan.

METHODS

Eight databases were searched from earliest records to July 2022. Studies investigating a dance intervention lasting ≥ 4 weeks, including psychological and/or cognitive health outcomes, and having a structured exercise comparison group were included. Screening and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers at all stages. All reviewer disagreements were resolved by the primary author. Where appropriate, meta-analysis was performed, or an effect size estimate generated.

RESULTS

Of 21,737 records identified, 27 studies met the inclusion criteria. Total sample size of included studies was 1392 (944 females, 418 males, 30 unreported). Dance was equally as effective as other physical activity interventions in improving quality of life for people with Parkinson's disease [mean difference 3.09; 95% confidence interval (CI) - 2.13 to 8.30; p = 0.25], reducing anxiety (standardised mean difference 2.26; 95% CI - 2.37 to 6.90; p = 0.34), and improving depressive symptoms (standardised mean difference 0.78; 95% CI - 0.92 to 2.48; p = 0.37). Preliminary evidence found dance to be superior to other physical activity interventions to improve motivation, aspects of memory, and social cognition and to reduce distress. Preliminary evidence found dance to be inferior to other physical activity interventions to improve stress, self-efficacy and language fluency.

CONCLUSION

Undertaking structured dance of any genre is generally equally and occasionally more effective than other types of structured exercise for improving a range of psychological and cognitive outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO: CRD42018099637.

Decisional balance, self-leadership, self-efficacy, planning, and stages of change in adopting exercise behaviors in patients with stomach cancer: A cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

Previous studies have suggested the benefits of regular exercise in motivating the survivors of cancer; however, most survivors are insufficiently active, showing high rates of nonadherence to physical activity guidelines. Using the I-Change model, this study sought to determine the association of decisional balance and self-efficacy for exercise, planning, and self-leadership with the stages of change in exercise behavior among patients with stomach cancer.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in February 2021 and included 145 patients diagnosed with primary stomach cancer via quota sampling in South Korea. Sociodemographics, comorbidity, decisional balance for exercise, self-efficacy for exercise, planning, self-leadership, and stages of change in exercise behavior were assessed.

RESULTS

Of the participants, 4% were in the precontemplation stage of exercise behavior, 10% contemplation, 37% preparation, 23% action, and 27% maintenance. The male sex (p = 0.043), higher self-efficacy for resisting relapse (p < 0.0001), higher coping planning (p = 0.029), and higher self-leadership for behavior awareness and volition (p = 0.023) were associated with more readiness for changes in exercise behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

From the results obtained using the I-Change model, self-efficacy for resisting relapse to previous habits, coping planning, and behavior awareness and volition were associated with more readiness for changes in exercise behavior. These findings may help reduce stomach cancer survivors' nonadherence to physical activity guidelines.

Evaluation of a 20-Month Physical Activity Intervention to Improve Motivational and Affective Outcomes Among Disadvantaged Adult Women

Grounded in self-determination theory, this study aimed to qualitatively examine women's perception of a set of motivational and affective consequences during and immediately after a physical activity intervention. In total, 11 disadvantaged adult women participated in this 20-month intervention. A total of 102 physical activity sessions based on need-supportive strategies were performed. Six discussion groups, 14 semi-structured interviews, and field notes were used to collect data. A thematic analysis was conducted based on self-determination theory. Findings highlighted that it might be advisable among these disadvantaged women to begin with relatedness-support strategies to increase group cohesion, followed by competence support strategies to increase self-confidence, and, finally, autonomy support strategies to empower women to be physically active. The development of a need-supportive environment in a physical activity intervention may have the potential to achieve motivational and affective consequences, which might promote the empowerment of these disadvantaged women to be physically active.

An Online Educational Intervention to Influence Medical and Nurse Practitioner Students' Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, and Motivation for Antepartum Depression Screening and Education

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate nurse practitioner and medical students' knowledge, self-efficacy, and motivation for antepartum depression screening and education before and after an online educational intervention.

DESIGN

Quasi-experimental study design.

SETTING/LOCAL PROBLEM

The University of South Florida, College of Nursing and College of Medicine. Historically, nursing and medical school curricula have a focus on postpartum depression. Testing nurse practitioner and medical students regarding maternal depression throughout pregnancy may give insight into curriculum preparedness.

PARTICIPANTS

Medical and nurse practitioner students were recruited by convenience sampling. In total, 71 participants completed the study. There were 52 (73%) nurse practitioner students and 19 (27%) medical students.

INTERVENTION/MEASUREMENTS

Participants used a self-directed learning activity in the form of a slide presentation on the virtual platform REDCap. Knowledge was tested before and after the intervention using the "Speak Up When You're Down"-Postpartum Depression Awareness Campaign examination. Self-efficacy and motivation were measured before and after the intervention by using the Physician/Nurse Practitioner Student Teaching Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and the Physician/Nurse Practitioner Student Teaching Motivation Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Nurse practitioner and medical students exhibited a mean increase in scores for knowledge, self-efficacy, and motivation. Both groups performed similarly from before to after the intervention, and student profession did not moderate the increase from before to after the intervention.

CONCLUSION

An intervention to influence health care students' knowledge, self-efficacy, and motivation for antepartum depression screening can be included in medical and nursing curricula and can also be used with currently practicing health care providers. Doing so could possibly benefit pregnant women by enhancing the antepartum care that they receive.