Dance is not purely about body movements, but also integrates physical activity like exercise and enjoying the music associated with this. In most cases, it could be a community activity in their natural environment rather than in a clinic setting making it fun, socially comfortable, and sustainable. This multifactorial activity could cultivate a pleasure in learning in addition to including concern, empathy, a treatment setting, a therapeutic procedure. It is an engaging activity which fosters creative participation and sharing the experience with other individuals.

Proposed Mechanisms of Change:

Physical: improved physical performance and function including balance, muscle strength, joint sense and proprioception.
Cultural: enjoyable aesthetic experiences.
Cognitive: cognitive decline slowed through exercise and stimulation of brain circuits used to learn dance steps; activation of motor neurological brain regions through improvised or expressive movement that may contribute to changes in brain structure.
Social: positive social engagement, stimulation, and enhancement of communicative and relational capacities through shared experiences in dance.
Several studies have been conducted in the context of dance and depression, which involved the learning of dance steps and sequences and their repetitive patterns throughout the composition. On the other hand, dance movement therapy focuses on improvised and expressive dance experiences. In older adults, dance movement therapists should often consider focusing on the effectiveness in learning of steps for ameliorating depression. There is a general notion that dance related therapies are only for women, which should be mitigated since dance-based interventions are more effective in men who are also equally impacted by depression. The interaction with peers during dance results in increased self-confidence and feeling of competency by enhancing positive social engagement, thus enhancing mood; enjoyment, opportunities for behaviors such as remembering, recognizing, and expressing what they were feeling, and understanding, appreciating, and being sensitive to others.

Reference: The effect of dancing interventions on depression symptoms, anxiety, and stress in adults without musculoskeletal disorders: An integrative review and meta-analysis