“For what lies ahead, you need to be as fit and strong as possible”, said the doctor, after telling me I had a malignant tumour.
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Dance & Cancer Movement Sessions
Dance & Cancer Research Evidence
The Doctor Dance Cancer Hub summarises both positive and negative findings from published research on the link between dance and cancer. We include studies that found benefits, studies that found little or no effect, and systematic reviews that combine many studies. Our aim is to present the evidence as accurately and fairly as possible, helping readers make informed decisions rather than promoting dance as a cure.
Research evidence varies in strength. Systematic reviews, which combine the results of many studies, provide the strongest evidence. Smaller pilot studies are still valuable because they help researchers test new ideas and develop larger, more rigorous studies. Throughout this Hub, we’ve indicated the strength of evidence for each study, using. 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) scale, so you can see not only what researchers found, but also how much confidence we can place in those findings.
Cancer-related Fatigue
Overall Evidence
Dance-based programmes have been studied as a way to support people experiencing cancer-related fatigue. The evidence includes pilot trials, randomised studies, and systematic reviews. Overall, the research suggests that dance may help reduce cancer-related fatigue or improve energy and vitality, especially when the programme is regular, adapted, and enjoyable.
Vardhan et al. (2022)
Study Snapshot
Country: India
Participants: 30 women
Cancer: Breast cancer
Treatment stage: During radiotherapy
Dance: Dance Movement Therapy
Programme: 2 weeks
Sessions: 45 minutes, 5 days/week
Study design: Pre-post intervention study
Main finding: Reduced cancer-related fatigue
Evidence strength
Dance Movement Therapy During Radiotherapy
Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common and distressing side effects of radiotherapy for breast cancer. Researchers wanted to find out whether a short programme of Dance Movement Therapy could help women manage this fatigue while they were still receiving treatment.
To explore this question, 30 women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer took part in Dance Movement Therapy sessions lasting 45 minutes a day, five days a week, for two weeks, alongside their usual medical care.
The sessions combined gentle movement, music, breathing, and opportunities for emotional expression. Researchers measured cancer-related fatigue before and after the programme using a standard fatigue questionnaire.
After the two-week programme, the women reported lower levels of fatigue than before they started the dance sessions. It is worth noting, however, that fatigue levels were very high at the beginning of the study, leaving considerable scope for improvement.
This study suggests that a short programme of Dance Movement Therapy may help reduce cancer-related fatigue in women receiving radiotherapy for breast cancer.
Vardhan, V., Goyal, C., Chaudhari, J., Jain, V., Kulkarni, C. A., & Jain, M. (2022). Effect of Dance Movement Therapy on cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy: A pre-post intervention study. Cureus, 14(1), e21040.
Boing et al. (2023)
Study Snapshot
Country: Brazil
Participants: 74 women
Cancer: Breast cancer
Treatment stage: Receiving hormone therapy
Dance: Belly dance
Programme: 16 weeks
Sessions: 3 × 60 minutes/week
Study design: Randomised controlled trial
Main finding: Fatigue improved after the programme
Evidence strength
Belly Dance, Fatigue and Hormone Therapy
Can belly dance reduce cancer-related fatigue more effectively than another form of exercise or education alone?
To answer this question, 74 women receiving hormone therapy for breast cancer took part in a 16-week randomised controlled trial. The women were allocated to one of three groups: belly dance, Mat Pilates, or three educational sessions followed by usual care.
Women in the belly dance group attended 60-minute classes three times each week for 16 weeks. Researchers measured fatigue, sleep quality, pain, stress, depressive symptoms, optimism, and physical activity before the programme, immediately afterwards, and again six and twelve months later.
By the end of the programme, fatigue had improved in all three groups, and these improvements were maintained during follow-up. However, the researchers did not find clear differences between the groups for fatigue, depression, stress, optimism, pain, or sleep quality.
This study suggests that a 16-week programme of belly dance may help improve fatigue in women receiving hormone therapy for breast cancer. It also reminds us that education, support, and participation in health-promoting activities may all contribute to helping women manage cancer-related fatigue.
Boing, L., de Bem Fretta, T., Lynch, B. M., Dias, M., da Rosa, L. M., Baptista, F., Bergmann, A., Fausto, D. Y., Bocchi Martins, J. B., & Guimarães, A. C. A. (2023). Mat Pilates and belly dance: Effects on patient-reported outcomes among breast cancer survivors receiving hormone therapy and adherence to exercise. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 49, 101683. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101683
Boing et al. (2018)
Study Snapshot
Country: Brazil
Participants: 19 women
Cancer: Breast cancer
Treatment stage: During or after treatment
Dance: Belly dance
Programme: 12 weeks
Sessions: 2 × 60 minutes/week
Study design: Pilot non-randomised clinical trial
Main finding: Improvements in fatigue, quality of life and depressive symptoms
Evidence strength
Belly Dance, Fatigue and Quality of Life
Could belly dance become a safe and enjoyable way to support women recovering from breast cancer?
This early pilot study explored that question by inviting 19 women with breast cancer to take part in a 12-week belly dance programme. Eight women attended two 60-minute classes each week, while the remaining women continued with their usual daily activities.
Researchers measured quality of life, fatigue, body image, and depressive symptoms before and after the programme using established health questionnaires.
After completing the programme, the women who had taken part in the belly dance classes reported less fatigue, fewer depressive symptoms, and improvements in several aspects of quality of life, including body image and sexual functioning. They also reported fewer arm symptoms and fewer treatment-related side effects.
Because this was a small pilot study, the researchers could not demonstrate that the improvements were significantly greater than those seen in the comparison group. They concluded that larger studies were needed to investigate these promising early findings.
This study suggests that belly dance may be a safe and enjoyable way to support recovery after breast cancer, with the potential to improve fatigue, quality of life, and emotional wellbeing. It also laid the foundations for larger and more rigorous studies that followed.
Boing, L., Baptista, F., Pereira, G. S., Sperandio, F. F., Moratelli, J., Cardoso, A. A., Borgatto, A. F., & Guimarães, A. C. A. (2018). Benefits of belly dance on quality of life, fatigue, and depressive symptoms in women with breast cancer: A pilot study of a non-randomised clinical trial. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 22(2), 460–466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.10.003
Thieser et al. (2021)
Study Snapshot
Country: Germany
Participants: 66 people (cancer patients and partners)
Cancer: Mixed cancers (most commonly breast cancer)
Dance: Ballroom dancing
Programme: Ongoing weekly classes
Sessions: 90 minutes/week
Study design: Observational study
Main finding: Improved endurance and self-efficacy
Evidence strength
Ballroom Dancing, Fatigue and Endurance
Not every research study finds that dance improves every aspect of health, and that’s an important part of understanding the scientific evidence.
This study investigated a community ballroom dance programme involving 66 people, including cancer survivors and their dance partners. Most of the participants had been treated for breast cancer, although people living with several different types of cancer also took part. Participants attended 90-minute ballroom dance classes each week as part of an ongoing community programme.
Researchers measured physical endurance, fatigue, body image, and self-confidence. Endurance was assessed using a six-minute walking test, alongside questionnaires about participants’ experiences.
People who had been dancing for longer were able to walk further during the endurance test and reported greater confidence in their own abilities (self-efficacy). However, the researchers did not find a significant improvement in fatigue.
This study found that regular ballroom dancing was associated with better endurance and greater self-confidence, but it did not significantly reduce fatigue. It reminds us that different dance programmes may influence different aspects of health, and that no single study provides the complete picture.
Thieser, S., Dörfler, J., Rudolph, I., Wozniak, T., Schmidt, T., & Hübner, J. (2021). Influence of ballroom dancing on fatigue, body image, self-efficacy, and endurance of cancer patients and their partners. Medical Oncology, 38, 15.
Pisu et al. (2017)
Study Snapshot
Country: United States
Participants: 31 couples
Cancer: Mixed cancers (68% breast cancer)
Dance: Ballroom dancing
Programme: 12 weeks
Sessions: 10 private lessons plus practice
Study design: Pilot randomised controlled trial
Main finding: Improved vitality and mental quality of life
Evidence strength
Ballroom Dancing and Vitality
Recovering from cancer can affect not only the person who has had cancer, but also those closest to them. This study asked whether learning to dance together could support the wellbeing of both cancer survivors and their partners.
To explore this question, 31 couples, in which one partner had previously been treated for cancer, took part in a 12-week ballroom dancing programme. Around two-thirds of the cancer survivors had been treated for breast cancer. Couples were randomly allocated to either begin ballroom dance lessons immediately or continue with their usual activities before starting the programme later.
The intervention included 10 private ballroom dance lessons, together with opportunities to practise between sessions. Researchers measured quality of life, vitality, physical activity, functional capacity, and relationship outcomes before and after the programme.
After completing the programme, cancer survivors reported higher levels of vitality and better mental quality of life than those who had not yet started dancing. The researchers also found greater trust within the couple’s relationship, suggesting that dancing together may strengthen emotional as well as physical wellbeing.
This study suggests that ballroom dancing may improve vitality and quality of life while also strengthening close relationships. It highlights that dancing together may support recovery not only for the person living with cancer, but also for the couple as a whole.
Pisu, M., Demark-Wahnefried, W., Kenzik, K. M., Oster, R. A., Lin, C. P., Manne, S., Alvarez, R., & Martin, M. Y. (2017). A dance intervention for cancer survivors and their partners (RHYTHM). Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 11(3), 350–359.
Nelson et al. (2023)
Study Snapshot
Countries: International
Participants: 971 people
Cancer: Mixed cancers (mainly breast cancer)
Dance: Community dance programmes
Programme: Multiple studies
Sessions: Varied
Study design: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Main finding: Improved fatigue, quality of life and physical function
Evidence strength
What Does the Overall Research Tell Us?
As more studies on dance and cancer were published, researchers reached a point where they could look beyond individual findings and ask a much bigger question:
What does the overall body of evidence tell us about dance and cancer-related fatigue?
To answer this question, researchers combined the results of 18 published studies involving 971 people living with and beyond cancer. Most participants were women with breast cancer, although several studies also included people with other types of cancer.
The review brought together evidence from a wide variety of community dance programmes, including ballroom dancing, belly dance, Greek traditional dance, Latin dance, Dance Movement Therapy, and other forms of community dance.
When all the findings were analysed together, people who took part in dance programmes generally experienced lower levels of fatigue, better physical function, improved quality of life, and fewer symptoms of depression than those who did not participate. Participants also consistently described dance as enjoyable, socially supportive, and an activity they wanted to continue.
This systematic review suggests that community dance can be a safe, enjoyable, and potentially effective way of helping people manage cancer-related fatigue. It also shows that, although individual studies sometimes report different findings, the overall balance of evidence points towards a positive effect of dance on fatigue and wellbeing.
Nelson, E., Kelly, D., Ní Bhriain, O., Garry, F., Clifford, A. M., & Allardyce, J. M. (2023). The effectiveness of community dance in people with cancer: A mixed-methods systematic review and meta-analysis. Health Promotion International, 38(4), daad077.
What does the research suggest?
Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most frequently studied symptoms in dance and cancer research. Across several intervention studies, participants who took part in dance programmes often reported feeling less fatigued, more energetic, or experiencing greater vitality after completing the programme. These findings are supported by systematic reviews that combine evidence from many individual studies.
However, the evidence is not completely consistent. While several studies found reductions in fatigue, others did not detect statistically significant improvements. Overall, the balance of evidence suggests that dance can be a helpful way of supporting people experiencing cancer-related fatigue, but it should not be regarded as a cure or a guaranteed treatment.
What does this mean in practice?
The current evidence suggests that dance may offer a practical and enjoyable way for people living with cancer to remain physically active while managing fatigue. Unlike many forms of exercise, dance combines movement with music, learning, enjoyment, and social interaction, making it an activity that many people are willing to continue over time.
Importantly, dancing with fatigue is not about pushing through exhaustion. Many successful research programmes have encouraged participants to work at their own pace, take breaks when needed, and adapt movements to suit how they feel on a particular day. For many people, maintaining gentle, enjoyable movement may be more achievable than trying to complete a traditional exercise programme.
What questions remain?
Although fatigue is one of the strongest areas of evidence in dance and cancer research, many important questions remain unanswered. Most published studies have involved women recovering from breast cancer, so we know much less about people with other types of cancer, those receiving palliative care, or people at different stages of treatment.
We also do not yet know whether different styles of dance produce different effects on fatigue. Belly dance, ballroom dance, Latin dance, Greek traditional dance, Dance Movement Therapy, and community dance all place different physical, cognitive, emotional, and social demands on participants. It is possible that some styles are more effective than others for reducing fatigue, but very few studies have directly compared them.
Similarly, researchers have not yet established the optimal dose of dance. The studies included in this Hub ranged from two weeks to twenty-four weeks, with sessions varying from 45 minutes to two hours, delivered between one and five times each week. Future research needs to determine how often people should dance, how long programmes should last, and which elements of dance are most important for helping people manage cancer-related fatigue.
Mood, Anxiety & Depression
Overall Evidence
A diagnosis of cancer and its treatment can affect emotional wellbeing in many ways. Feelings of sadness, anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and loss of confidence are common experiences for many people living with and beyond cancer.
Researchers have investigated whether dance can help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Overall, the evidence suggests that dance may have positive psychological benefits, particularly when it is enjoyable, socially supportive, and performed regularly over several weeks. However, not every study has found improvements, reminding us that dance is not a cure for emotional distress and that people’s experiences vary.
Cruz et al. (2022)
Study Snapshot
Country: Brazil
Participants: 43 women
Cancer: Mixed cancers (predominantly breast cancer)
Dance: Creative dance programme
Programme: 20 weeks
Sessions: 2 × 60 minutes/week
Study design: Randomised controlled clinical trial
Main finding: Reduced depression and improved quality of life
Evidence strength
Creative Dance and Depression
Feeling anxious, low in mood, or emotionally overwhelmed is a common experience for many people living with cancer. This study explored whether creative dance could help support emotional wellbeing alongside conventional cancer treatment.
To investigate this question, 43 women living with cancer took part in a 20-week creative dance programme, attending two 60-minute classes each week. A comparison group continued with their usual medical care.
The dance sessions combined gentle physical activity, creative movement, music, and opportunities for self-expression. Researchers measured depression, pain, and quality of life before and after the programme.
After 20 weeks, the women who had taken part in the dance programme reported lower levels of depression, less pain, and better quality of life than before the programme.
This study suggests that a structured creative dance programme may help reduce depressive symptoms while improving quality of life for people living with cancer. It also supports the idea that dance can be a valuable complement to conventional cancer care.
Cruz, E. I. S., Cruz, A. H. S., Ventura, J. A., Marques, R. A. S., Santos, R. S., & Reis, A. A. S. (2022). The impact of dance as a non-pharmacological adjuvant therapy in cancer survivors: A clinical trial. Research, Society and Development, 11(7), e14411729714.
Boing et al. (2018)
Study Snapshot
Country: Brazil
Participants: 19 women
Cancer: Breast cancer
Treatment stage: During or after treatment
Dance: Belly dance
Programme: 12 weeks
Sessions: 2 × 60 minutes/week
Study design: Pilot non-randomised clinical trial
Main finding: Reduced depressive symptoms
Evidence strength
Belly Dance, Fatigue and Mood
Belly dance is often described as a dance style that celebrates movement, expression, and body awareness. Researchers wanted to explore whether these characteristics might also help improve emotional wellbeing after breast cancer.
To investigate this question, 19 women with breast cancer took part in a 12-week belly dance programme, attending two 60-minute classes each week. A comparison group continued with their usual daily activities.
Researchers measured depressive symptoms, body image, fatigue, and quality of life before and after the programme.
After completing the programme, the women who took part in the dance classes reported fewer depressive symptoms than before the programme. They also described improvements in body image and several aspects of quality of life.
Because this was a small pilot study, the researchers could not demonstrate that the improvements were significantly greater than those seen in the comparison group. They concluded that larger studies were needed to investigate these encouraging findings.
This study suggests that belly dance may help support emotional wellbeing after breast cancer. It also raises the interesting possibility that dance styles emphasising body awareness and self-expression may have particular psychological benefits—an idea that larger studies have since begun to explore.
Boing, L., Baptista, F., Pereira, G. S., Sperandio, F. F., Moratelli, J., Cardoso, A. A., Borgatto, A. F., & Guimarães, A. C. A. (2018). Benefits of belly dance on quality of life, fatigue, and depressive symptoms in women with breast cancer: A pilot study of a non-randomised clinical trial. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 22(2), 460–466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.10.003
Boing et al. (2023)
Study Snapshot
Country: Brazil
Participants: 74 women
Cancer: Breast cancer
Treatment stage: Receiving hormone therapy
Dance: Belly dance
Programme: 16 weeks
Sessions: 3 × 60 minutes/week
Study design: Randomised controlled trial
Main finding: No significant improvement in depression
Evidence strength
Belly Dance during Hormone Therapy
The encouraging findings from the earlier Boing et al. (2018) pilot study raised an important question:
Would the same improvements in emotional wellbeing be found in a larger, more rigorous clinical trial?
To investigate this, 74 women receiving hormone therapy for breast cancer took part in a 16-week randomised controlled trial. Participants were allocated to one of three groups: belly dance, Mat Pilates, or an education programme followed by usual care.
Women in the belly dance group attended three 60-minute classes each week. Researchers measured depressive symptoms, stress, fatigue, sleep quality, pain, optimism, and physical activity before the programme, immediately afterwards, and again six and twelve months later.
Unlike the earlier pilot study, this larger trial did not find convincing evidence that belly dance reduced depressive symptoms or stress more than the comparison groups. However, fatigue improved across all three groups, suggesting that education, support, and participation in health-promoting activities may all contribute to helping women feel better during treatment.
This study reminds us that early pilot studies often identify promising ideas, but larger clinical trials are needed to test whether those findings hold up. While belly dance continued to show promise for fatigue, this study did not confirm the earlier suggestion that it specifically reduced depressive symptoms.
Boing, L., de Bem Fretta, T., Lynch, B. M., Dias, M., da Rosa, L. M., Baptista, F., Bergmann, A., Fausto, D. Y., Bocchi Martins, J. B., & Guimarães, A. C. A. (2023). Mat Pilates and belly dance: Effects on patient-reported outcomes among breast cancer survivors receiving hormone therapy and adherence to exercise. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 49, 101683. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101683
Kaltsatou et al. (2011)
Study Snapshot
Country: Greece
Participants: 27 women
Cancer: Breast cancer
Dance: Greek traditional dance
Programme: 24 weeks
Sessions: 3 × 60 minutes/week
Study design: Controlled intervention study
Main finding: Reduced depression and increased life satisfaction
Evidence strength
Greek Traditional Dance and Emotional Wellbeing
Can a traditional community dance, shared across generations, help people recover emotionally after breast cancer?
To explore this question, 27 women recovering from breast cancer took part in a 24-week programme of Greek traditional dance, attending three 60-minute classes each week. The programme also included upper-body exercises, while a comparison group continued with their usual daily activities.
Researchers measured depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, physical fitness, and quality of life before and after the programme.
By the end of the programme, women who had taken part in the dance classes reported fewer depressive symptoms and greater life satisfaction than before they started dancing. They also showed improvements in several aspects of physical fitness.
This study suggests that regular participation in traditional community dance may improve emotional wellbeing after breast cancer. It also highlights the potential value of culturally meaningful dances in helping people reconnect with themselves, their communities, and everyday life after cancer treatment.
Kaltsatou, A., Mameletzi, D., & Douka, S. (2011). Physical and psychological benefits of a 24-week traditional dance programme in breast cancer survivors. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 15(2), 162–167.
Nelson et al. (2023)
Study Snapshot
Countries: International
Participants: 971 people
Cancer: Mixed cancers (mainly breast cancer)
Dance: Community dance programmes
Programme: Multiple studies
Sessions: Varied
Study design: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Main finding: Dance reduced depressive symptoms
Evidence strength
What Does the Overall Research Tell Us?
As described in the Cancer-related Fatigue section, Nelson and colleagues combined the results of 18 published studies involving 971 people living with and beyond cancer. Here we focus specifically on what their review tells us about mood and emotional wellbeing.
The review brought together evidence from a wide variety of community dance programmes, including ballroom dancing, belly dance, Greek traditional dance, Dance Movement Therapy, Latin dance, and other forms of community dance.
When the researchers looked specifically at psychological outcomes, they found that people who took part in dance programmes experienced small but statistically significant reductions in depressive symptoms. Participants also consistently described dance as enjoyable, socially supportive, and an activity they wanted to continue. These improvements in mood occurred alongside broader improvements in quality of life and physical functioning, suggesting that emotional wellbeing is likely to be one part of a wider pattern of recovery.
This systematic review suggests that community dance can make a positive contribution to emotional wellbeing for many people living with cancer. It also shows that, although individual studies sometimes report different findings, the overall balance of evidence supports a beneficial effect of dance on mood.
Nelson, E., Kelly, D., Ní Bhriain, O., Garry, F., Clifford, A. M., & Allardyce, J. M. (2023). The effectiveness of community dance in people with cancer: A mixed-methods systematic review and meta-analysis. Health Promotion International, 38(4), daad077.
da Silva et al. (2023)
Study Snapshot
Country: Brazil
Participants: Evidence from 8 intervention studies
Cancer: Mainly breast cancer
Dance: Multiple dance styles
Programme: Various
Sessions: Various
Study design: Systematic review
Main finding: Psychological benefits reported across several studies
Evidence strength
Looking Across the Dance Research
As interest in dance and cancer has grown, researchers have begun to step back and review what the different studies tell us collectively about emotional wellbeing.
This systematic review examined eight published intervention studies, most involving women living with or beyond breast cancer, and brought together evidence from a variety of dance programmes, including belly dance, ballroom dance, Greek traditional dance, Dance Movement Therapy, and other community dance interventions.
Across the studies, the reviewers found consistent reports of psychological benefits, including improvements in mood, self-esteem, emotional wellbeing, and quality of life. At the same time, they noted that many of the available studies involved relatively small numbers of participants and used different dance styles and research methods, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions about which approaches are most effective.
This review suggests that dance has considerable potential to support emotional wellbeing during and after cancer treatment. It also highlights the need for larger, more rigorous studies that compare different styles of dance and identify which characteristics of dance are most beneficial for psychological health.
da Silva, L. S., Lima, G. M. S. S., Santos, E. S., Cajueiro, C. A. G., Costa, A. C. S. M., Santana, L. S., Aquino, M. J. V., & Sousa, D. S. (2023). Effects of dance therapy on the rehabilitation of patients with cancer: A systematic review. Research, Society and Development, 12(2), e5212236836.
What does the research suggest?
The overall evidence suggests that dance can support emotional wellbeing in people living with cancer. Improvements in mood and depressive symptoms have been reported in several studies, and these findings are supported by systematic reviews. However, the evidence is not completely consistent. Some studies found clear psychological benefits, while others found little or no additional improvement beyond usual care.
Dance should therefore be viewed as a supportive activity rather than a treatment for depression or anxiety. It may help many people feel better emotionally, particularly when programmes provide opportunities for enjoyment, social connection, confidence, and self-expression.
What does this mean in practice?
The current evidence suggests that dance can make a positive contribution to emotional wellbeing for many people living with cancer. The benefits appear to come from more than simply being physically active. Dancing combines movement, music, learning, creativity and social interaction in ways that may help people reconnect with themselves and others during and after cancer treatment.
At the same time, dance should complement, rather than replace, appropriate medical and psychological care. People respond differently, and what feels enjoyable and meaningful for one person may not feel the same for another.
What questions remain?
Although the evidence is encouraging, many important questions remain unanswered. Most research has involved women recovering from breast cancer, so we know much less about people with other cancers or those receiving different types of treatment.
We also know very little about whether different styles of dance produce different outcomes. Belly dance, ballroom dance, Greek traditional dance, Latin dance, Dance Movement Therapy and community dance all have different physical, cognitive, emotional and social characteristics. It is possible that some dance styles are more effective than others for particular outcomes, such as fatigue, depression or balance, but very few studies have directly compared them.
Similarly, we do not yet know the optimal “dose” of dance. Future research needs to explore how often people should dance, how long programmes should last, and which features of dance are most important for improving health and wellbeing.
Physical Function, Strength & Balance
Overall Evidence
Cancer and its treatment can affect many aspects of physical function. People often report reduced strength, poorer balance, difficulty walking, stiffness, reduced flexibility, and lower confidence in their body’s abilities. Some cancer treatments can also cause chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), leading to numbness, tingling, and an increased risk of falls.
Researchers have investigated whether dance can help improve physical function after cancer treatment. Overall, the evidence suggests that dance programmes can improve walking ability, strength, balance, flexibility, physical confidence, and overall physical functioning. These improvements have been reported across several different styles of dance and are supported by systematic reviews.
Although the evidence is encouraging, different studies have used different dance styles, programme lengths and outcome measures, making it difficult to determine which type of dance works best for particular physical outcomes.
Kaltsatou et al. (2011)
Study Snapshot
Country: Greece
Participants: 27 women
Cancer: Breast cancer
Dance: Greek traditional dance
Programme: 24 weeks
Sessions: 3 × 60 minutes/week
Study design: Controlled intervention study
Main finding: Improved walking ability and upper-body strength
Evidence strength
Greek Traditional Dance and Physical Function
Can regular dancing help people regain physical strength and mobility after breast cancer treatment?
To explore this question, 27 women recovering from breast cancer took part in a 24-week programme of Greek traditional dance, attending three 60-minute classes each week. The programme also included upper-body exercises, while a comparison group continued with their usual daily activities.
Rather than relying only on questionnaires, the researchers measured walking ability using a six-minute walking test, handgrip strength, arm volume, blood pressure, and several measures of psychological wellbeing.
By the end of the programme, the women who had taken part in the dance classes walked further during the six-minute walking test, demonstrated greater grip strength in both hands, and reported improvements in psychological wellbeing.
This study suggests that regular participation in traditional community dance may help women regain physical strength, walking ability, and confidence after breast cancer treatment. It also demonstrates that dance can improve measurable aspects of physical function, not just how people feel about their health.
Kaltsatou, A., Mameletzi, D., & Douka, S. (2011). Physical and psychological benefits of a 24-week traditional dance programme in breast cancer survivors. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 15(2), 162–167.
Karkou et al. (2021)
Study Snapshot
Countries: United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands, Lithuania and Bulgaria
Participants: 54 women
Cancer: Breast cancer
Dance: Latin-inspired community dance programme
Programme: 16 weeks
Sessions: 2 hours/week
Study design: Multi-country pilot study
Main finding: Improved quality of life and physical function
Evidence strength
Dancing With Health
Can a community dance programme help women regain physical function after breast cancer treatment?
To answer this question, 54 women recovering from breast cancer took part in a 16-week Latin-inspired community dance programme, attending two hours of dance each week. The sessions combined gentle aerobic dance with activities designed to improve movement, confidence, coordination, and social interaction.
Rather than relying only on questionnaires, the researchers measured walking ability, grip strength, flexibility, and overall physical functioning, alongside quality of life.
By the end of the programme, participants demonstrated better walking ability, stronger grip strength, greater flexibility, and improved overall physical functioning. These physical improvements were accompanied by better quality of life.
This study suggests that a well-designed community dance programme can improve several measurable aspects of physical function after breast cancer treatment. It also shows that dance can support recovery by helping people move more confidently and comfortably in everyday life.
Karkou, V., Dudley-Swarbrick, I., Starkey, J., Parsons, A., Aithal, S., Omylinska-Thurston, J., et al. (2021). Dancing With Health: Quality of life and physical improvements from an EU collaborative dance programme with women following breast cancer treatment. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 635578.
Rubio et al. (2023)
Study Snapshot
Country: Colombia
Participants: 64 women
Cancer: Breast cancer
Dance: Community dance
Programme: 8 weeks
Sessions: 3 × weekly
Study design: Quasi-experimental study
Main finding: Increased physical activity participation
Evidence strength
Community Dance and Becoming More Active
For many people recovering from breast cancer, one of the biggest challenges is staying physically active once treatment has finished. This study explored whether a community dance programme could help women build confidence and make regular physical activity part of everyday life.
To investigate this question, 64 women who had completed treatment for breast cancer took part in an eight-week community dance programme, attending three sessions each week. The programme combined Latin American dance with practical behaviour-change strategies designed to help participants become more active beyond the dance classes themselves.
Researchers measured participants’ levels of physical activity and their confidence in maintaining an active lifestyle before and after the programme.
By the end of the programme, the women were more physically active than they had been before the intervention and reported greater confidence in their ability to stay active.
This study suggests that community dance may do more than provide enjoyable exercise sessions. It may also help people develop the confidence, motivation, and habits needed to remain physically active after breast cancer treatment.
Rubio, M. A., Mejía-Arbeláez, C. M., Wilches-Mogollon, M. A., et al. (2023). “My Body, My Rhythm, My Voice”: A community dance pilot intervention engaging breast cancer survivors in physical activity in a middle-income country. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 9, 30.
Müller et al. (2021)
Study Snapshot
Country: Germany
Participants: 170 people
Cancer: Mixed cancers
Intervention: Sensorimotor exercise
Programme: During chemotherapy
Study design: Randomised controlled trial
Main finding: Reduced sensory neuropathy symptoms
Evidence strength
Exercise and Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy
Some cancer treatments can damage the nerves in the hands and feet, a condition known as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). People living with CIPN may experience numbness, tingling, weakness, poor balance, and an increased risk of falling. Researchers therefore wanted to find out whether exercises that challenge balance and coordination could help reduce these symptoms.
To investigate this question, 170 people receiving chemotherapy for different types of cancer took part in a randomised controlled trial comparing sensorimotor exercise and resistance training with usual care.
Participants who completed the exercise programme experienced less worsening of sensory neuropathy, together with better muscle strength and higher quality of life than those who did not take part in the programme.
Although this was not a dance study, it provides important evidence because many dance programmes naturally include balance, coordination, weight shifting, and sensorimotor challenges that are similar to those used in this research.
This study suggests that activities which challenge balance and coordination may help reduce some of the physical effects of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. It also provides a scientific rationale for investigating whether dance could offer similar benefits for people living with CIPN.
Müller, J., Weiler, M., Schneeweiss, A., et al. (2021). Preventive effect of sensorimotor exercise and resistance training on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Cancer, 125, 955–965.
Lantis et al. (2023)
Study Snapshot
Country: United States
Participants: Breast cancer survivors (study ongoing)
Cancer: Breast cancer
Dance: Adapted Argentine Tango
Programme: 8 weeks
Sessions: 2 × weekly
Study design: Randomised controlled trial protocol
Main finding: Investigating balance and gait
Evidence strength
Tango and Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy
One of the newest questions in dance and cancer research is whether dance can help people living with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a condition that can affect balance, walking, and confidence in movement.
To investigate this question, researchers have designed a randomised controlled trial comparing an eight-week programme of Adapted Argentine Tango with a home exercise programme for women recovering from breast cancer. Participants attend two tango sessions each week, while researchers use detailed biomechanical assessments to measure balance, walking, posture, and movement.
At the time of writing, the study is still in progress, so the final results are not yet available. We will update this Hub when the findings are published.
Although this study has not yet reported its results, it highlights growing scientific interest in using dance to address balance and walking difficulties following cancer treatment. It also reflects a broader shift in cancer rehabilitation research towards understanding how different dance styles might improve specific physical challenges such as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Lantis, K., Schnell, P., Bland, C. R., et al. (2023). Biomechanical effect of neurologic dance training (NDT) for breast cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial and preliminary baseline data. Trials, 24, 564.
Ibrahim et al. (2023)
Study Snapshot
Country: Egypt
Participants: 60 women
Cancer: Breast cancer
Intervention: Sensorimotor training
Programme: 12 weeks
Sessions: 2 × weekly
Study design: Randomised controlled trial
Main finding: Reduced neuropathy symptoms and improved function
Evidence strength
Sensorimotor Training and Neuropathy
Could exercises that challenge balance, coordination, and body awareness help women living with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)?
To explore this question, 60 women with breast cancer experiencing CIPN took part in a 12-week programme of sensorimotor training, attending two sessions each week alongside their usual medical care.
Researchers measured neuropathy symptoms, pain, balance, and physical function before and after the programme.
After completing the programme, women who took part in the sensorimotor training reported less neuropathic pain, fewer symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, and better physical function than women receiving usual care alone.
Although this was not a dance study, it adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that activities requiring balance, coordination, weight shifting, and body awareness may help reduce the physical effects of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
This study provides further support for investigating dance as a potential rehabilitation approach for people living with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Many styles of dance naturally incorporate the same balance and coordination challenges used in sensorimotor rehabilitation.
Ibrahim, E. M., Othman, E. M., Elsheikh, A. T., & Abdel Wahid, A. R. M. (2023). Sensorimotor training on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in breast cancer. International Journal of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences, 24(8), 52–59.
Nelson et al. (2023)
Study Snapshot
Countries: International
Participants: 971 people
Cancer: Mixed cancers (mainly breast cancer)
Dance: Community dance programmes
Programme: Multiple studies
Sessions: Varied
Study design: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Main finding: Improved physical function
Evidence strength
What Does the Overall Research Tell Us?
As described in the Cancer-related Fatigue section, Nelson and colleagues combined the results of 18 published studies involving 971 people living with and beyond cancer. Here we focus specifically on what their review tells us about physical function, strength, and balance.
The review brought together evidence from a wide variety of community dance programmes, including ballroom dancing, belly dance, Greek traditional dance, Dance Movement Therapy, Latin dance, and other forms of community dance.
When the researchers examined the physical outcomes, they found that people who took part in dance programmes generally demonstrated better physical functioning, including improvements in walking ability, alongside reductions in fatigue and improvements in quality of life. Participants also consistently described dance as enjoyable, socially supportive, and an activity they wanted to continue.
The review highlighted that dance combines physical activity, balance, coordination, strength, learning, and social interaction within a single activity. Together, these elements may help explain why dance can support physical recovery after cancer.
This systematic review suggests that community dance can make a meaningful contribution to improving physical function during and after cancer treatment. It also supports the idea that dance offers more than exercise alone, combining movement with cognitive, emotional, and social experiences that may encourage people to remain physically active over time.
Nelson, E., Kelly, D., Ní Bhriain, O., Garry, F., Clifford, A. M., & Allardyce, J. M. (2023). The effectiveness of community dance in people with cancer: A mixed-methods systematic review and meta-analysis. Health Promotion International, 38(4), daad077.
What does the research suggest?
The overall evidence suggests that dance can improve physical function in people living with and beyond cancer. Improvements have been reported in walking ability, strength, flexibility, balance and overall physical functioning. These findings are supported by systematic reviews, although individual studies have used different dance styles and different ways of measuring physical performance.
Dance therefore appears to be more than simply an enjoyable form of exercise. It may help people regain confidence in their body’s ability to move and support a gradual return to everyday physical activities.
What does this mean in practice?
The research suggests that dance programmes can be adapted to suit people with different physical abilities and stages of recovery. Many successful programmes encouraged participants to move at their own pace, rest whenever needed, and gradually build confidence over time.
Physical improvements do not necessarily require vigorous exercise. Gentle, enjoyable movement performed regularly may help people feel stronger, steadier, and more confident in everyday life.
What questions remain?
Although the evidence is encouraging, several important questions remain unanswered. Researchers still know relatively little about whether different styles of dance produce different physical benefits. For example, dances that emphasise balance and postural control may have different effects from dances that focus on endurance, rhythm or upper-body movement.
There is also growing interest in whether dance can help people living with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, balance problems, or reduced mobility following cancer treatment. Early research is promising, but larger studies are needed to determine which dance styles, programme lengths and levels of intensity produce the greatest improvements in physical function.
Body Image & Self-Confidence
Overall Evidence
For many people, cancer changes much more than physical health. Surgery, scarring, hair loss, weight changes, fatigue, and ongoing treatment can all influence how people feel about their bodies and how confident they feel in everyday life.
Researchers have begun to investigate whether dance can help people reconnect with their bodies after cancer treatment. Overall, the evidence suggests that dance may improve body image, body confidence, and self-esteem, particularly when programmes encourage enjoyable movement, creativity, and self-expression rather than focusing on appearance or physical performance.
The evidence is encouraging but less consistent than for outcomes such as fatigue or quality of life. Some studies report clear improvements in body image, while others find little or no measurable change. This suggests that the type of dance, the characteristics of the programme, and the people taking part may all influence the results.
Carminatti et al. (2019)
Study Snapshot
Country: Brazil
Participants: 19 women
Cancer: Breast cancer
Treatment stage: During or after treatment
Dance: Belly dance
Programme: 12 weeks
Sessions: 2 × 60 minutes/week
Study design: Pilot non-randomised clinical trial
Main finding: Improved body image and self-esteem
Evidence strength
Belly Dance, Body Image and Self-Esteem
Many women describe feeling that their body has changed following breast cancer treatment. Researchers wanted to find out whether belly dance, with its emphasis on posture, expressive movement, and body awareness, could help women develop a more positive relationship with their bodies.
To explore this question, 19 women with breast cancer took part in a 12-week belly dance programme, attending two 60-minute classes each week. A comparison group continued with their usual daily activities.
Researchers measured body image and self-esteem before and after the programme using questionnaires developed specifically to assess these aspects of psychological wellbeing.
After completing the programme, the women who took part in the belly dance classes reported significant improvements in body image and higher self-esteem than before the programme. The greatest improvements were seen in how women perceived and felt about their bodies following treatment.
Because this was a small pilot study, the findings should be interpreted with caution. However, they provided encouraging early evidence that belly dance may help women reconnect with their bodies after breast cancer.
This study suggests that belly dance may improve body image and self-esteem in women recovering from breast cancer. It also provided some of the first evidence that dance can positively influence how women feel about their bodies after cancer treatment.
Carminatti, M., Boing, L., Leite, B., Sperandio, F. F., Korpalski, T., de Bem Fretta, T., Vieira, M. C. S., Leitão, A. E., Moratelli, J., Fausto, D. Y., Klen, J. A., & Guimarães, A. C. A. (2019). Effects of belly dancing on body image and self-esteem in women with breast cancer: A pilot study. Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte, 25(6), 464–469.
Denig et al. (2022)
Study Snapshot
Country: Brazil
Participants: 24 women
Cancer: Breast cancer
Treatment stage: Receiving hormone therapy
Dance: Belly dance
Programme: 16 weeks
Sessions: 3 × 60 minutes/week
Study design: Randomised clinical trial
Main finding: Improved body image (body stigma and body concerns)
Evidence strength
Belly Dance, Body Image and Hormone Therapy
Many women continue to experience changes in body image long after breast cancer surgery, particularly while receiving hormone therapy. This study investigated whether belly dance could help women feel more comfortable and confident in their bodies during this stage of treatment.
To explore this question, 24 women receiving hormone therapy for breast cancer took part in a 16-week randomised clinical trial. Women in the intervention group attended belly dance classes three times each week, while a comparison group received educational sessions and continued with their usual care.
Researchers measured body image using a questionnaire developed specifically for women with breast cancer, together with an assessment of sexual function.
After completing the programme, the women who took part in the belly dance classes reported significant improvements in two important aspects of body image—body stigma (feeling self-conscious or uncomfortable about the body) and body concerns (worries about appearance and physical changes). However, the programme did not produce significant improvements in sexual function.
This study suggests that belly dance may help improve body image in women receiving hormone therapy after breast cancer. It also reminds us that improvements in body image do not necessarily lead to improvements in every aspect of wellbeing, such as sexual function.
Denig, L. A., Boing, L., de Bem Fretta, T., Sperandio, F. F., & Guimarães, A. C. A. (2022). Effects of belly dancing intervention on sexual function and body image in breast cancer patients undergoing hormone therapy: Randomized clinical trial. Fisioterapia em Movimento, 35(Special Issue), e35602.
Thieser et al. (2021)
Study Snapshot
Country: Germany
Participants: 66 people (cancer survivors and their dance partners)
Cancer: Mixed cancers (predominantly breast cancer)
Dance: Ballroom dancing
Programme: Ongoing weekly community classes
Sessions: 90 minutes/week
Study design: Observational study
Main finding: Improved self-efficacy and endurance, but no significant improvement in body image
Evidence strength
Ballroom Dancing, Body Image and Self-Confidence
Does every style of dance improve body image, or might different dances influence different aspects of wellbeing?
This study explored that question by following 66 people living with cancer, together with their dance partners, who were taking part in a community ballroom dance programme. Most of the participants had been treated for breast cancer, although several other cancer types were also represented. Participants attended 90-minute ballroom dance classes each week as part of an ongoing community programme.
Researchers measured body image, self-confidence (self-efficacy), fatigue, and physical endurance using questionnaires and a six-minute walking test.
People who had been dancing for longer reported greater confidence in their own abilities (self-efficacy) and demonstrated better physical endurance. However, the researchers did not find a significant improvement in body image.
This study reminds us that different styles of dance may influence different aspects of wellbeing. While ballroom dancing appeared to improve confidence and physical endurance, it did not significantly change how participants felt about their bodies. This highlights the importance of continuing to investigate which characteristics of different dance styles are most helpful for different outcomes.
Thieser, S., Dörfler, J., Rudolph, I., Wozniak, T., Schmidt, T., & Hübner, J. (2021). Influence of ballroom dancing on fatigue, body image, self-efficacy, and endurance of cancer patients and their partners. Medical Oncology, 38, 15.
Nelson et al. (2023)
Study Snapshot
Countries: International
Participants: 971 people
Cancer: Mixed cancers (mainly breast cancer)
Dance: Community dance programmes
Programme: Multiple studies
Sessions: Varied
Study design: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Main finding: Dance reduced depressive symptoms
Evidence strength
What Does the Overall Research Tell Us?
As described in the Cancer-related Fatigue section, Nelson and colleagues combined the results of 18 published studies involving 971 people living with and beyond cancer. Here we focus specifically on what their review tells us about body image and self-confidence.
The review brought together evidence from a wide variety of community dance programmes, including ballroom dancing, belly dance, Greek traditional dance, Dance Movement Therapy, Latin dance, and other forms of community dance.
Across the studies, several dance programmes reported improvements in body image, self-confidence, and psychological wellbeing. Participants also frequently described feeling more comfortable in their bodies, enjoying the opportunity to move without judgement, and valuing the social support provided by dancing with others.
However, the review also found that the evidence for body image was less consistent than for outcomes such as fatigue or quality of life. Some studies reported clear improvements, while others found little or no measurable change. The reviewers concluded that the available evidence is encouraging but that more high-quality research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
This systematic review suggests that dance may help some people develop a more positive relationship with their bodies after cancer treatment. However, it also reminds us that the evidence is still developing and that different dance styles may influence body image and self-confidence in different ways.
Nelson, E., Kelly, D., Ní Bhriain, O., Garry, F., Clifford, A. M., & Allardyce, J. M. (2023). The effectiveness of community dance in people with cancer: A mixed-methods systematic review and meta-analysis. Health Promotion International, 38(4), daad077.
What does the research suggest?
The current evidence suggests that dance can help some people develop a more positive relationship with their bodies after cancer treatment. Improvements in body image, self-esteem, and self-confidence have been reported in several studies, particularly those involving belly dance programmes designed for women recovering from breast cancer. These findings are supported by a systematic review, although the evidence is more variable than it is for fatigue or quality of life.
Taken together, the research suggests that dance may help people move beyond seeing their body simply as something affected by illness, towards experiencing it as something capable, expressive, and enjoyable once again.
What does this mean in practice?
Body image is about much more than physical appearance. It reflects how people feel, move, and experience their body in everyday life.
Dance provides opportunities to explore movement without judgement, rediscover physical abilities, and reconnect with parts of the body that may have changed following cancer treatment. Learning new movements, expressing emotions through dance, and sharing movement with others may all contribute to rebuilding confidence.
Importantly, improvements in body image do not necessarily lead to improvements in every aspect of wellbeing. For example, although some studies found better body image following dance programmes, they did not always find corresponding improvements in sexual function or other psychological outcomes. This reminds us that recovery is complex and that different aspects of wellbeing may change at different rates.
What questions remain?
Although the evidence is promising, several important questions remain unanswered.
Most research has involved women recovering from breast cancer, so we know very little about body image following other types of cancer, among men, or among younger adults.
One of the most interesting questions concerns different styles of dance. Belly dance, ballroom dance, Dance Movement Therapy, community dance, and traditional dance all encourage people to experience their bodies in different ways. Some emphasise expressive movement and body awareness, while others focus more on partnership, rhythm, balance, or social interaction. It is possible that these different characteristics influence body image and self-confidence in different ways, but very few studies have directly compared them.
Future research should also investigate why dance appears to improve body image. Is it the movement itself, the music, learning new skills, social connection, increased physical confidence, or a combination of all of these factors? Understanding these “active ingredients” will help researchers design more effective dance programmes for people living with and beyond cancer.
Quality of Life (Living Well with Cancer)
Overall Evidence
Quality of life is one of the most commonly measured outcomes in cancer research. Rather than focusing on a single symptom, quality of life reflects how people feel about their physical health, emotional wellbeing, relationships, independence, and ability to enjoy everyday life.
Researchers have investigated whether dance can improve quality of life for people living with and beyond cancer. Across a wide range of dance styles, including ballroom, belly dance, Latin dance, Greek traditional dance, community dance, and Dance Movement Therapy, many studies have reported improvements in quality of life following regular participation. These findings are supported by systematic reviews that combine the results of multiple studies.
Although the overall evidence is encouraging, quality of life is influenced by many different factors, including cancer type, treatment, physical health, emotional wellbeing, and social support. Dance is therefore best viewed as one part of a broader approach to living well with cancer.
Chen et al. (2026)
Study Snapshot
Countries: International
Participants: 686 women
Cancer: Breast cancer
Dance: Multiple dance interventions (including Dance Movement Therapy, belly dance, ballroom dance, Greek traditional dance, square dance, and community dance)
Programme: Multiple studies
Sessions: Varied (3–24 weeks)
Study design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomised controlled trials
Main finding: Dance improved quality of life and reduced depressive symptoms
Evidence strength
What Does the Latest Research Tell Us?
By March 2026, enough high-quality research had been published for researchers to step back and ask an important question:
When all the best studies are considered together, what does the evidence tell us about dance and breast cancer?
To answer this question, researchers combined the results of 12 randomised controlled trials involving 686 women living with and beyond breast cancer. Rather than evaluating a single dance programme, they brought together evidence from many different approaches, including Dance Movement Therapy, belly dance, ballroom dance, Greek traditional dance, square dance, and other community dance programmes. The interventions lasted between 3 and 24 weeks.
When the results were analysed together, women who took part in dance programmes reported better quality of life and fewer depressive symptoms than women who did not take part. The strongest improvements were seen in programmes lasting 12 weeks or longer. However, the researchers did not find consistent evidence that dance improved pain or body image, and the evidence for reducing fatigue remained mixed.
Interestingly, the review also suggested that dance-based physical activity programmes appeared to produce larger improvements in quality of life than the shorter Dance Movement Therapy programmes included in the review. The authors concluded that more research is needed to understand how different styles of dance and different programme lengths influence health outcomes.
This study suggests that dance can make a meaningful contribution to improving quality of life for women living with and beyond breast cancer. It also highlights that the type of dance and the length of the programme may influence the benefits people experience.
Chen, T., Jiang, L., Xu, X., & Jiang, C. (2026). Dance interventions improve quality of life and related psychological factors among breast cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PsyCh Journal, 15, e70091.
Nelson et al. (2023)
Study Snapshot
Countries: International
Participants: 971 people
Cancer: Mixed cancers (mainly breast cancer)
Dance: Community dance programmes
Programme: Multiple studies
Sessions: Varied
Study design: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Main finding: Improved Quality of Life.
Evidence strength
What Does the Overall Research Tell Us?
As more studies on dance and cancer were published, researchers were able to move beyond asking whether individual dance programmes were helpful and instead ask a broader question:
What happens when we combine the evidence from many different studies?
To answer this, researchers reviewed 18 published studies involving 971 people living with and beyond cancer. Most participants were women with breast cancer, but the review also included people living with other types of cancer.
The studies investigated a wide variety of community dance programmes, including ballroom dancing, belly dance, Greek traditional dance, Latin dance, Dance Movement Therapy, and other forms of community dance.
When the findings were combined, people who took part in dance programmes generally reported better quality of life, together with improvements in fatigue, depression, and physical functioning. Participants also consistently described dance as enjoyable, socially supportive, and an activity they wanted to continue.
This systematic review suggests that community dance can make a meaningful contribution to helping people live well during and after cancer. It also shows that, although individual studies sometimes produce different results, the overall balance of evidence points towards positive benefits for quality of life.
Nelson, E., Kelly, D., Ní Bhriain, O., Garry, F., Clifford, A. M., & Allardyce, J. M. (2023). The effectiveness of community dance in people with cancer: A mixed-methods systematic review and meta-analysis. Health Promotion International, 38(4), daad077.
Karkou et al. (2021)
Study Snapshot
Country: United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands, Lithuania & Bulgaria
Participants: 54 women
Cancer: Breast cancer
Dance: Latin-inspired community dance
Programme: 16 weeks
Sessions: 2 hours/week
Study design: Multi-country pilot study
Main finding: Improved quality of life and physical function
Evidence strength
Dancing With Health: Quality of Life After Breast Cancer
Could the same dance programme be delivered successfully in different countries and still improve women’s quality of life after breast cancer?
To answer this question, researchers from five European countries worked together to develop a community dance programme for 54 women recovering from breast cancer.
Women attended two hours of Latin-inspired community dance each week for 16 weeks. The programme combined gentle aerobic dance with activities designed to build confidence, encourage social interaction, and help women enjoy moving again. Researchers measured quality of life using a questionnaire developed specifically for people living with cancer, alongside assessments of physical fitness.
By the end of the programme, participants reported better overall quality of life, together with improvements in emotional wellbeing, social functioning, walking ability, muscle strength, and flexibility.
This study suggests that a well-designed community dance programme can improve both quality of life and physical functioning for women recovering from breast cancer. It also demonstrates that this type of programme can be successfully delivered across different countries and healthcare settings.
Karkou, V., Dudley-Swarbrick, I., Starkey, J., Parsons, A., Aithal, S., Omylinska-Thurston, J., Verkooijen, H. M., van den Boogaard, R., Dochevska, Y., Djobova, S., Zdravkov, I., Dimitrova, I., Moceviciene, A., Bonifacino, A., Asumi, A. M., Forgione, D., Ferrari, A., Grazioli, E., Cerulli, C., Tranchita, E., Sacchetti, M., & Parisi, A. (2021). Dancing With Health: Quality of life and physical improvements from an EU collaborative dance programme with women following breast cancer treatment. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 635578.
Cruz et al. (2022)
Study Snapshot
Country: Brazil
Participants: 43 women
Cancer: Mixed cancers (predominantly breast cancer)
Dance: Creative dance programme
Programme: 20 weeks
Sessions: 2 × 60 minutes/week
Study design: Randomised controlled clinical trial
Main finding: Improved quality of life
Evidence strength
Creative Dance and Quality of Life
Many of the challenges people experience during and after cancer treatment cannot be treated with medication alone. Researchers therefore wanted to find out whether creative dance could be used alongside conventional medical care to improve quality of life.
To explore this question, 43 women living with cancer took part in a 20-week creative dance programme, attending two 60-minute sessions each week. A comparison group continued with their usual care.
Researchers measured quality of life, pain, and depressive symptoms before and after the programme.
After 20 weeks, the women who had taken part in the dance programme reported better quality of life, together with reduced pain and fewer depressive symptoms than before the programme.
This study suggests that regular creative dance may improve quality of life while helping people manage some of the physical and emotional challenges associated with cancer. It also supports the idea that dance can be used as a valuable complement to conventional cancer care.
Cruz, E. I. S., Cruz, A. H. S., Ventura, J. A., Marques, R. A. S., Santos, R. S., & Reis, A. A. S. (2022). The impact of dance as a non-pharmacological adjuvant therapy in cancer survivors: A clinical trial. Research, Society and Development, 11(7), e14411729714.
Boing et al. (2018)
Study Snapshot
Country: Brazil
Participants: 19 women
Cancer: Breast cancer
Treatment stage: During or after treatment
Dance: Belly dance
Programme: 12 weeks
Sessions: 2 × 60 minutes/week
Study design: Pilot non-randomised clinical trial
Main finding: Improved Quality of Life
Evidence strength
Belly Dance and Quality of Life
Could a dance style that celebrates movement, femininity and body awareness help women recover after breast cancer?
To explore this question, 19 women with breast cancer took part in a 12-week belly dance programme, attending two 60-minute classes each week. A comparison group continued with their usual daily activities.
Researchers measured quality of life, fatigue, body image, and depressive symptoms before and after the programme.
After completing the dance programme, the women reported improvements in several aspects of quality of life, including body image, fatigue, and treatment-related symptoms. Because this was a small pilot study, the researchers could not show that the dance group improved significantly more than the comparison group, and they recommended that larger studies should be carried out.
This study suggests that belly dance may provide an enjoyable and supportive way of improving quality of life after breast cancer. It also provided some of the earliest evidence that this particular style of dance may be beneficial, paving the way for larger studies in the years that followed.
Boing, L., Baptista, F., Pereira, G. S., Sperandio, F. F., Moratelli, J., Cardoso, A. A., Borgatto, A. F., & Guimarães, A. C. A. (2018). Benefits of belly dance on quality of life, fatigue, and depressive symptoms in women with breast cancer: A pilot study of a non-randomised clinical trial. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 22(2), 460–466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.10.003
Pisu et al. (2017)
Study Snapshot
Country: United States
Participants: 31 couples
Cancer: Mixed cancers (68% breast cancer)
Dance: Ballroom dancing
Programme: 12 weeks
Sessions: 10 lessons plus practice
Study design: Pilot randomised controlled trial
Main finding: Improved mental quality of life and vitality
Evidence strength
Ballroom Dancing and Living Well After Cancer
What happens when people recovering from cancer learn to dance with someone they love?
To explore this question, 31 couples, where one partner had previously been treated for cancer, took part in a 12-week ballroom dancing programme. Most of the cancer survivors had been treated for breast cancer. Couples received 10 ballroom dance lessons and were encouraged to practise together between sessions.
Researchers measured quality of life, physical activity, functional capacity, and relationship outcomes before and after the programme.
After completing the programme, cancer survivors reported better mental quality of life, greater vitality, and higher levels of trust within their relationship. The researchers also found that the programme was enjoyable and acceptable for both cancer survivors and their partners.
This study suggests that ballroom dancing may improve quality of life while also strengthening close relationships. Dancing together may offer benefits that extend beyond physical activity by creating opportunities for shared enjoyment, mutual support, and meaningful connection after cancer.
Pisu, M., Demark-Wahnefried, W., Kenzik, K. M., Oster, R. A., Lin, C. P., Manne, S., Alvarez, R., & Martin, M. Y. (2017). A dance intervention for cancer survivors and their partners (RHYTHM). Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 11(3), 350–359.
Kaltsatou et al. (2011)
Study Snapshot
Country: Greece
Participants: 27 women
Cancer: Breast cancer
Dance: Greek traditional dance
Programme: 24 weeks
Sessions: 3 × 60 minutes/week
Study design: Controlled intervention study
Main finding: Improved quality of life and life satisfaction
Evidence strength
Greek Traditional Dance and Living Well
Can a dance that has been shared within communities for generations help women recover after breast cancer?
To explore this question, 27 women recovering from breast cancer took part in a 24-week programme of Greek traditional dance. Women attended three 60-minute dance classes each week, while a comparison group continued with their usual daily activities.
Researchers measured physical fitness, quality of life, life satisfaction, and depressive symptoms before and after the programme.
By the end of the programme, the women who had taken part in the dance classes reported better quality of life, greater life satisfaction, and improvements in physical fitness. They also experienced fewer depressive symptoms than before the programme.
This study suggests that regular participation in traditional community dance may support both physical recovery and emotional wellbeing after breast cancer. It also highlights the potential value of culturally meaningful dances as part of supportive cancer care.
Kaltsatou, A., Mameletzi, D., & Douka, S. (2011). Physical and psychological benefits of a 24-week traditional dance programme in breast cancer survivors. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 15(2), 162–167.
Sandel et al. (2005)
Study Snapshot
Country: United States
Participants: 35 women
Cancer: Breast cancer
Treatment stage: Within five years of completing treatment
Dance: The Lebed Method® (Dance and Movement Programme)
Programme: 12 weeks
Sessions: 18 sessions over 12 weeks (2 sessions/week for 6 weeks, then 1 session/week for 6 weeks)
Study design: Randomised controlled trial (wait-list control with crossover)
Main finding: Improved breast cancer-specific quality of life
Evidence strength
Dance, Movement and Quality of Life
In the early 2000s, very little research had investigated whether dance could help people recover after breast cancer treatment. This study was one of the first randomised controlled trials to explore that question.
Thirty-five women who had completed treatment for breast cancer within the previous five years took part in a 12-week dance and movement programme based on The Lebed Method®, a programme developed specifically for breast cancer survivors. The sessions combined gentle stretching, shoulder mobility exercises, dance movements, music, relaxation, and opportunities for social interaction. During the first six weeks, women attended two sessions each week, followed by one session each week for a further six weeks.
Researchers measured breast cancer-specific quality of life, body image, shoulder movement, and general health before and after the programme.
Women who completed the programme reported significantly better quality of life than those who had not yet started the classes. Improvements were also seen in shoulder movement, while body image improved over time in both groups.
This study suggests that a structured dance and movement programme designed specifically for breast cancer survivors may improve quality of life and support physical recovery after treatment. As one of the earliest randomised controlled trials in this field, it laid important foundations for the growing body of research on dance and cancer that has followed over the past two decades.
Sandel, S. L., Judge, J. O., Landry, N., Faria, L., Ouellette, R., & Majczak, M. (2005). Dance and movement program improves quality-of-life measures in breast cancer survivors. Cancer Nursing, 28(4), 301–309.
What does the research suggest?
Quality of life is one of the most consistently improved outcomes in dance and cancer research. Across studies involving women living with and beyond breast cancer, participants who took part in dance programmes often reported improvements in their overall quality of life, alongside benefits for fatigue, mood, physical function, body image, and social wellbeing. These findings are supported by several randomised controlled trials and reinforced by recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
At the same time, quality of life is a broad concept influenced by many aspects of a person’s life, including their physical health, emotional wellbeing, relationships, treatment experiences, and everyday activities. Dance should therefore be viewed as one component of a holistic approach to living well with cancer rather than a standalone treatment. Overall, the current evidence suggests that dance can make a meaningful contribution to helping many people live well during and after cancer treatment.
What does this mean in practice?
Living well with cancer is about much more than reducing symptoms. It is also about continuing to enjoy life, maintaining meaningful relationships, feeling confident in your body, and taking part in activities that provide purpose and enjoyment.
Dance is unusual because it combines physical activity, music, learning, creativity, emotional expression, and social connection within a single activity. Different people may benefit from different aspects of dancing. For one person, the greatest benefit may come from moving more freely. For another, it may come from laughing with others, learning something new, or rediscovering confidence in their body.
The current evidence suggests that dance programmes can be adapted for people at different stages of treatment and recovery. Enjoyment, accessibility, and regular participation may be just as important as the specific dance steps being taught.
What questions remain?
Although quality of life is one of the strongest areas of evidence in dance and cancer research, many important questions remain unanswered.
One of the biggest questions is whether different styles of dance produce different benefits. Belly dance, ballroom dance, Greek traditional dance, Dance Movement Therapy, creative dance, and community dance all have different physical, cognitive, emotional, and social characteristics. It is likely that these different characteristics influence quality of life in different ways, but very few studies have directly compared one style of dance with another.
Researchers also do not yet know the optimal dose of dance. The studies included in this Hub ranged from 3 to 24 weeks, with sessions lasting between 30 and 180 minutes and delivered between one and ten times each week. Understanding how programme length, frequency, intensity, and enjoyment influence outcomes will help future programmes become even more effective.
Finally, most published research has focused on women recovering from breast cancer. We know much less about men, younger adults, people living with other types of cancer, or those receiving treatment for advanced disease. Future research should also investigate how the social, thinking, emotional, and physical characteristics of different dance styles contribute to improvements in quality of life. Understanding these “active ingredients” of dance may help us design more effective dance programmes for different people and different stages of cancer.
The evidence summarised in this Hub shows that dance has the potential to make a meaningful contribution to living well with cancer. The next challenge for researchers is to understand which dances work best, what is the optimum dose, for whom, under what circumstances, and why.
Dance and Cancer: Personal Perspectives
I have been living with cancer since 2021. I have used dance to help with some of the psychological consequence of the diagnosis, testing, and treatment. Here are some personal reflections, from a Dance Psychology perspective.
I’ve got Scanxiety – the medics should’ve told me to dance
Scanxiety describes anxiety associated with waiting for medical scan results. There is a growing medical and academic literature on cancer-related scanxiety.
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