The Impact of Dance Interventions on Patients with Noninfectious Pulmonary Diseases: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Dance has been highlighted as one of the most enjoyable, safe, and feasible forms of physical activity, improving physical health, mental health, and general well-being, among various patients. Little is known about the effect and impact of dance interventions to improve health among patients with pulmonary diseases, and research lacks a robust synthesis of evidence. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to investigate the impact of dance intervention on patients with noninfectious pulmonary diseases. Following the PRISMA guidelines, six electronic databases were searched in May 2022. Of the 1308 unique records identified, seven studies (five quantitative, two qualitative) across four countries were included in this systematic review. Six studies investigated adult populations, and one study explored the effect of dance on children. The dance interventions lasted between 1 and 10 weeks. Overall, dance was perceived to have a broad range of physical/mental/social benefits, including quality of life, social cohesion, dyspnoea levels, balance, exercise tolerance, general well-being, and adherence to nutrition regimens. Furthermore, the dance session was the most enjoyable activity among children and adolescents with asthma. With available evidence, dance interventions are promising and may effectively improve health and well-being among patients with noninfectious pulmonary diseases. More organised and continuous long-term dance interventions in future may reveal a detailed impact on health outcomes.