Square dance

3 papers8 findings

Outcomes

Quality of life

upin humans1

1 study

Square dance improves quality of life in humans (+3.8 points WHO-5, +3.1 points SF-12 PCS, +3.4 points SF-12 MCS).
“WHO-5 (+3.8 points), and SF-12 PCS/MCS (+3.1 and +3.4 points) also improved significantly.”
Human trialcommunity-dwellingthree 60-min sessions weekly12 weeksn = 150
Community-based square dancing is associated with improved physical and mental health in older adults: a 12-week randomized controlled trial in China
Frontiers in public health14 Jul 2026

Depressive symptoms

downin humans1

1 study

Square dance decreases depressive symptoms in humans (-1.5 points GDS-15, -1.2 points GAD-7).
“Depressive symptoms (-1.5 points), anxiety (-1.2 points)”
Human trialcommunity-dwellingthree 60-min sessions weekly12 weeksn = 150
Community-based square dancing is associated with improved physical and mental health in older adults: a 12-week randomized controlled trial in China
Frontiers in public health14 Jul 2026

Blood pressure

downin humans1

1 study

Square dance decreases blood pressure in humans (-3.8 mmHg systolic, -2.4 mmHg diastolic).
“systolic (-3.8 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (-2.4 mmHg)”
Human trialcommunity-dwellingthree 60-min sessions weekly12 weeksn = 150
Community-based square dancing is associated with improved physical and mental health in older adults: a 12-week randomized controlled trial in China
Frontiers in public health14 Jul 2026

Balance

upin humans1

1 study

Square dance improves balance in humans (-1.05 s).
“TUG (-1.05 s)”
Human trialcommunity-dwellingthree 60-min sessions weekly12 weeksn = 150
Community-based square dancing is associated with improved physical and mental health in older adults: a 12-week randomized controlled trial in China
Frontiers in public health14 Jul 2026

Aerobic endurance

upin humans1

1 study

Square dance improves aerobic endurance in humans (+41.5 m).
“Compared with controls, the intervention group achieved significantly greater improvements in 6MWT (+41.5 m)”
Human trialcommunity-dwellingthree 60-min sessions weekly12 weeksn = 150
Community-based square dancing is associated with improved physical and mental health in older adults: a 12-week randomized controlled trial in China
Frontiers in public health14 Jul 2026

Social participation

upin humans1

1 study

Square dance improves social participation in humans (Δ = +3.28, p < 0.001).
“Compared with controls, the square dance group showed significantly greater improvements in social participation (Δ = +3.28)”
Human trialcommunity-dwelling adults aged 60-79 years12-weekn = 150
Square dance as a cultural practice: a mediating pathway of social participation toward well-being in older adults
Frontiers in public health28 Apr 2026

Depressive symptoms

downin humans1

1 study

Square dance decreases depressive symptoms in humans (Δ = -3.85, p < 0.001).
“and reductions in depressive symptoms (Δ = -3.85) (all p < 0.001).”
Human trialcommunity-dwelling adults aged 60-79 years12-weekn = 150
Square dance as a cultural practice: a mediating pathway of social participation toward well-being in older adults
Frontiers in public health28 Apr 2026

Subjective well-being

upin humans1

1 study

Square dance improves subjective well-being in humans (Δ = +5.73, p < 0.001).
“Compared with controls, the square dance group showed significantly greater improvements in social participation (Δ = +3.28), subjective well-being (Δ = +5.73)”
Human trialcommunity-dwelling adults aged 60-79 years12-weekn = 150
Square dance as a cultural practice: a mediating pathway of social participation toward well-being in older adults
Frontiers in public health28 Apr 2026