Conceptualization, forms, measurement, population, moderators, and mental health outcomes in dance-based intervention: A comprehensive umbrella review

Dance-based interventions have been explored for mental health across a wide range of forms, populations, and measurement approaches, yet the evidence remains fragmented. To understand the overall picture, we conducted an umbrella review of 90 systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and mixed-method reviews from five databases, assessing their quality with AMSTAR 2. Only a fifth of the reviews were high quality, and these shared a clear focus on specific populations and clearly defined intervention forms. Across studies, intervention forms were highly diverse, exceeding ten types, ranging from highly specific approaches such as square dance to general labels like dance, with the same concept often referred to by different terms. The conceptualization of effectiveness also varied: therapy-oriented approaches emphasized symptom reduction, while non-therapy-oriented approaches focused on well-being. Measurement largely relied on generic psychological scales, leaving the uniqueness of dance largely unexamined. Populations were overwhelmingly female, highlighting a significant gender bias, and potential moderators such as intervention type and dosage showed inconsistent effects. Consequently, the evidence base remains fragile.