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Dance-based exercise interventions in older adults: a narrative review examining the effects on depression; cognitive-motor function; mood; and quality of life
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DOI：10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1862532.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
Dance-based exercise has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological approach to support healthy aging by simultaneously engaging cognitive; motor; emotional; and social functions. This narrative review synthesizes evidence from randomized controlled trials and selected clinical studies investigating the effects of various dance modalities; including social dance; Latin dance; square dance; tango; and dance-based exergaming; on depression; cognitive-motor function; mood; and quality of life (QoL) in older adults. Overall; current evidence suggests that dance-based interventions may improve executive function; global cognition; attention; memory; balance; gait; mobility; and lower-limb strength. Several studies also reported improvements in depressive symptoms; mood; social engagement; and QoL. Rhythm- and dual-task-based dance programs have been proposed to enhance cognitive-motor integration and may contribute to improved neuromuscular coordination and sensorimotor performance. However; considerable heterogeneity in intervention characteristics; participant populations; outcome measures; and study quality limits direct comparisons across studies and precludes definitive conclusions regarding the superiority of dance over conventional exercise or the underlying neurobiological mechanisms. Overall; dance-based exercise appears to be a feasible and enjoyable multimodal intervention with the potential to benefit cognitive; motor; and psychosocial health in older adults. Nevertheless; further well-designed; adequately powered; and longitudinal studies with standardized intervention protocols are needed to clarify its long-term effectiveness and the mechanisms underlying its potential benefits.
Keywords:
depression
older adults
mood
cognitive-motor function
dance-based exercise
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3.2
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1.8W
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4.8W
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