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Can dancing alleviate depression? A groundbreaking study by Noetel et al. (2024) in the BMJ suggests so! It analyzed 218 randomized controlled trials and found that dancing is one of the most effective forms of exercise for combating depression.  Why? It combines mood-lifting music, social support from being in a group, and physical activity – all of which are boosts for mental health!

But a word of caution: The findings are based on a small number of studies, primarily involving women, and could be influenced by outliers. Therefore, it is worthwhile to look closely at the individual studies. Nevertheless, dancing is promising – and the study reminds us to carefully examine research findings. Even more exciting insights can be found in the video.

Studies (a small selection):

  • Barranco-Ruiz, Y., & Villa-González, E. (2020). Health-related physical fitness benefits in sedentary women employees after an exercise intervention with Zumba Fitness®. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(8), 2632.
  • Domene, P. A., Moir, H. J., Pummell, E., Knox, A., & Easton, C. (2016). The health-enhancing efficacy of Zumba® fitness: An 8-week randomised controlled study. Journal of Sports Sciences, 34(15), 1396-1404.
  • Fountoulakis, K. N., & Möller, H. J. (2011). Efficacy of antidepressants: a re-analysis and re-interpretation of the Kirsch data. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 14(3), 405-412.
  • Kirsch, I. (2015). Antidepressants and the placebo effect. Zeitschrift für Psychologie.
  • Noetel, M., Sanders, T., Gallardo-Gómez, D., Taylor, P., del Pozo Cruz, B., Van Den Hoek, D., … & Lonsdale, C. (2024). Effect of exercise for depression: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ, 384.
  • Norouzi, E., Hosseini, F., Vaezmosavi, M., Gerber, M., Pühse, U., & Brand, S. (2020). Zumba dancing and aerobic exercise can improve working memory, motor function, and depressive symptoms in female patients with Fibromyalgia. European Journal of Sport Science, 20(7), 981-991.
  • Kumaat, N. A., Rusdiawan, A., Dafun JR, P. B., Wahyudi, H., Arfanda, P. E., Wijaya, F. J. M., … & Artanty, A. (2025). Comparative effects of Zumba and Yoga on stress, body satisfaction, and self-esteem in working women: a randomized control trial. Pedagogy of Physical Culture and Sports, 29(3), 160-171.