The effects of a dance intervention on somatic symptoms and emotional distress in adolescent girls : A randomized controlled trial

• Objective: To investigate whether a dance intervention for adolescent girls reduces stressrelated symptoms.Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial of an after-school intervention. Participants were 112 girls aged 13 to 18 years with stress-related somatic symptoms and emotional distress. The intervention comprised twice-weekly dance sessions for 8 months with a focus on enjoyment and socialization. A questionnaire was administered at baseline and after 8, 12 and 20 months. Participants rated the frequency with which they had experienced somatic symptoms and emotional distress during the previous 3 months.Results: After the intervention, there was a significantly greater reduction in somatic symptoms and emotional distress in the dance intervention group than in the control group. The difference in the mean score change on a 5-point scale was 0.26 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.04 to 0.47) for somatic symptoms and 0.30 (95% CI: 0.04 to 0.58) for emotional distress.Conclusion: Dance interventions may reduce somatic symptoms and emotional distress in adolescent girls, and may constitute a nonpharmacological complement to school health services. However, continued participation is needed for long-term sustainable results. Additional randomized studies are required to further evaluate the effect of this type of intervention in different settings.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Psykiatri (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Psychiatry (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Stress-related problems

adolescent girls

dance intervention

emotional distress

mental health

physical activity

somatic symptoms

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)