Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Dance on Cognition and Depression in Healthy Older Adults

Purpose Aging is associated with declines in cognition and mental health that might be ameliorated by physical activity (PA). Dance integrates multiple physical, cognitive, and social elements, and might be an avenue for improving cognition and mood. This systematic review and meta-analysis (SRMA) examined the effects of formal and traditional dance on cognition, depression, and anxiety in older adults. Methods Five database searches yielded 17 randomized control trials (RCT). RCTs were included if participants were ≥ 60 years and healthy or living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We examined interventions of dance against any comparison group. Records were independently screened, and data were extracted by 2 reviewers. We performed random-effects models using robust variance estimation and tested individual treatment, study, and outcome level moderators using the approximate Hotelling-Zhang test. Results 17 RCTs were included in the systematic review, but 13 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis which included 1,174 participants with a mean age of 70.7 years, and 66.3% were female. There were 76 effect sizes (Hedges' g) calculated from the 13 RCTs with a range between -0.97 through 2.88. The overall effect of dance interventions on cognition was significant, yet small (g = 0.27; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.50; p = 0.022), and the effect on depression was significant and nearly moderate (g = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.80; p = 0.036); only one RCT examined anxiety and was not included. No moderator variables significantly explained variation in the effects of dance on cognitive function or depression (p > 0.05). Conclusions Dance interventions can improve cognition and depression in older adults. Additional research is needed regarding the effects of dance on anxiety and depression in older adults.