The short-term effects of dance style on mood

McKenzie, Karen, Bowes, Rachael and Murray, Kara (2020) The short-term effects of dance style on mood. Mental Health Practice. ISSN 1465-8720 (In Press)

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Abstract

Aims: Research has suggested that dance can have psychological benefits. We explore whether dance has a greater impact on mood than being in a control group and whether the impact of dance on mood differs depending on the type of dance engaged in.

Methods: 82 participants (4 males, 78 females), recruited from dance schools in England, completed a mood questionnaire before and after an intervention of ballet, tap or a period of waiting (control).

Results: Dance group status and age significantly predicted change in positive mood after the intervention, with older age and being in the dance group predicting increased scores. There was no significant difference in positive mood change scores between those attending ballet compared to tap.

Conclusion: The results suggest that engaging in tap or ballet, in combination with older age predicts greater psychological wellbeing.

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