The Effectiveness of Plaza Dancing on Psychological Well-Being and Ill-Being: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Evidence suggests that participation in plaza dancing may affect mental health. This study for the first time quantified the relationships between plaza dancing and psychological well-being and ill-being. We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP to identify relevant studies published from the databases since their inception to July 25, 2021. The standardized mean differences (SMDs) of pre-to-post intervention data were calculated in the meta-analysis. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed to test the potential moderating effects of age, outcome classification, measurement instruments, district, publication year, total sample size, and the duration, frequency, and length of the square dance intervention. A total of 25 original articles met all the eligibility criteria and were included in the review, and 17 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that plaza dancing improved psychological well-being (pooled SMD = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.58, 0.95; I ² = 86.9%) and reduced psychological ill-being (pooled SMD = -0.84; 95% CI: -1.00, -0.68; I ² = 64.8%). The study participants' age and district did not seem to affect the effectiveness of the plaza dancing intervention. The duration and frequency of plaza dancing affected the association between square dance and psychological well-being (duration, β = -0.044; 95% CI: -0.085, -0.004; frequency, β = 0.122; 95% CI: 0.024, 0.221) and psychological ill-being (duration, β = -0.029; 95% CI: -0.040, -0.018; frequency, β = 0.154; 95% CI: 0.030, 0.278). Plaza dancing has a significant positive effect on psychological well-being and psychological ill-being, and the effects are moderated by intervention modality. Generalizing plaza dancing interventions to promote psychological well-being and prevent or treat psychological ill-being is needed.

Systematic review registration: [www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero], identifier [CRD42021272016].

Keywords: mental health; mental hygiene; plaza dancing; psychological health; square fitness dance.

FIGURE 1

A flowchart of the literature search and study selection according to the PRISMA standard.

FIGURE 2

A meta-analysis of the effectiveness of plaza dancing on psychological well-being. Seven studies reported results for psychological well-being, and seven studies reported results for both psychological well-being and ill-being. The results from 14 studies on psychological well-being (reporting 56 analyses, including different related outcomes) were included. The random-effects model was used as it assumes that varying effect sizes between the studies are due to the differences in the study content and population. Positive effect size values indicate higher scores for psychological well-being in favor of the intervention. BDI, Beck Depression Inventory; CSS, Core Self-Evaluation Scale; EIEQ, Exercise-Induced Emotion Questionnaire; GDS-15, 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale; GWB, General Well-Being Schedule; HAMA, Hamilton Anxiety Scale; HAMD, Hamilton Depression Scale; LSIA, Life Satisfaction Index A; PEES, Post-Exercise Emotional Experience Scale; POMS, Profile of Mood States; PSPP, Platform Sizing and Performance Program; SAS, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale; SCL-90, Symptom Check List 90; SDS, Self-Rating Depression Scale; SES, Self-Esteem Scale; SF-36, the MOS item short-form health survey; TMD, total of motional disturb.

FIGURE 3

A meta-analysis of the effectiveness of plaza dancing on psychological ill-being. Three studies reported results for psychological ill-being, and seven studies reported results for both psychological well-being and ill-being. The results from 10 studies on psychological ill-being (reporting 39 analyses, including different related outcomes) were included. The random-effects model was used, as it assumes that varying effect sizes between the studies are due to the differences in the study content and population. Positive effect size values indicate lower scores for psychological ill-being in favor of the intervention. BDI, Beck Depression Inventory; CSS, Core Self-Evaluation Scale; EIEQ, Exercise-Induced Emotion Questionnaire; GDS-15, 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale; GWB, General Well-Being Schedule; HAMA, Hamilton Anxiety Scale; HAMD, Hamilton Depression Scale; LSIA, Life Satisfaction Index A; PEES, Post-Exercise Emotional Experience Scale; POMS, Profile of Mood States; PSPP, Platform Sizing and Performance Program; SAS, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale; SCL-90, Symptom Check List 90; SDS, Self-Rating Depression Scale; SES, Self-Esteem Scale; SF-36, the MOS item short-form health survey; TMD, total of motional disturb.