Work

The Neuroscience of Dance: A Conceptual Framework and Systematic Review

Year: 2023

Type: review

Abstract: Ancient and culturally universal, dance pervades many areas of life and has multiple benefits. In this article, we provide a conceptual framework and systematic review, as a guide for researching the neuroscience of dance. We identified relevant articles following PRISMA guidelines, and summarised and evaluated all original results. We identified avenues for future research in: the interactive and collective aspects of dance; groove; dance performance; dance observation; and dance therapy. Furthermore, the interactive and collective aspects of dance constitute a vital part of the field but have received almost no attention from a neuroscientific perspective so far. Dance and music engage overlapping brain networks, including common regions involved in perception, action, and emotion. In music and dance, rhythm, melody, and harmony are processed in an active, sustained pleasure cycle giving rise to action, emotion, and learning, led by activity in specific hedonic brain networks. The neuroscience of dance is an exciting field, which may yield information concerning links between psychological processes and behaviour, human flourishing, and the concept of eudaimonia.

Source: Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105197

Authors: Olivia Foster Vander Elst, Nicholas H.D. Foster, Peter Vuust, Peter E. Keller, Morten L. Kringelbach

Institutions: Aarhus University, University of Oxford, Royal Academy of Music, Western Sydney University

Language: English

Topic: Diversity and Impact of Dance

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,720

Funders: National Research Foundation, Danmarks Grundforskningsfond