Dance therapy in fibromyalgia: A narrative review
Year: 2025
Type: review
Abstract: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a significant public health issue, particularly prevalent among women aged 20 to 55, with prevalence rates ranging from 2% to 8%. It is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and is associated with various comorbidities, making it a complex and costly condition to treat. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as dance therapy, emerge as promising alternatives to address both the physical symptoms and psychosocial aspects of FM. Literature review indicates that dance therapy offers multiple benefits, including improvements in mobility, quality of life, and emotional well-being for FM patients. This form of therapy has been shown to help reduce pain and enhance coping through self-expression and social connection. However, limitations in the research persist, such as a lack of standardization in intervention methods and a scarcity of studies evaluating the safety of these practices. Dance-based interventions may represent an effective therapeutic tool for managing fibromyalgia, promoting both physical health and emotional well-being. As the evidence base grows, it is crucial to continue investigating different modalities of dance therapy to determine their specific benefits and standardize interventions. This could not only improve the quality of life for FM patients but also contribute to a more holistic and effective approach in treating this complex condition. • Dance therapy reduces pain and improves quality of life in fibromyalgia. • Creative dance shows greater benefits than repetitive forms for FM patients. • Sessions of 60 min/day, 150 min/week enhance pain management outcomes. • Dance fosters emotional well-being through expression and social connection. • Evidence supports dance as a holistic tool for chronic pain intervention.
Authors: Camila Andrea Sánchez Salazar, Stephanie Smith Velasco
Institution: Pontificia Universidad Javeriana
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,760
OpenAlex ID: W4416423467