Work

Effect of Dance Intervention on Cognitive Function and Related Cerebellar Dynamic Functional Connectivity in Patients With Schizophrenia

Year: 2026

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: Background: The cerebellum is a critical node implicated in the pathology of schizophrenia. Previous studies have demonstrated that dance interventions can enhance cerebellar functional connectivity in healthy individuals. These findings suggest that dance intervention might represent a promising treatment for patients with schizophrenia. Methods: A total of 32 patients with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to two groups: a dance group (n = 18) and an aerobic exercise group (n = 14). Clinical symptoms and cognitive function, along with resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data, were collected from all participants at baseline and post-intervention. The cerebellar motor (CBCm) and cerebellar cognitive (CBCc) regions were defined for the calculation of dynamic functional connectivity (dFC). Repeated-measures analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) were conducted for statistical analysis. Result: Significant interaction effects were observed for cognitive function and dFC. Dance intervention specifically enhanced cognitive function, as assessed by the Continuous Performance Test-Identical Pairs (CPT-IP) and the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R). Moreover, increased dFC was observed between the CBCm and the left medial superior frontal gyrus, left superior occipital gyrus, and right cuneus, as well as between the CBCc and the right median cingulate cortex and the left inferior temporal gyrus in the dance intervention group. Additionally, dFC between the CBCc and the median cingulate gyrus showed a positive correlation with CPT-IP (r = 0.412, p = 0.026) and HVLT-R (r = 0.414, p = 0.021) scores. Conclusions: These findings suggest that dance intervention specifically enhances cerebellar connectivity patterns, potentially improving attention and verbal memory in patients with schizophrenia. Clinical Trial Registration: No: ChiCTR2100049273, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=65597.

Source: ALPHA PSYCHIATRY

DOI: 10.31083/ap45310