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Effect of Ballroom Dancing on the Physical, Psychological, and Mental Well-Being of Oncological Patients: A Pilot Study

Author

Listed:
  • Rebecca Schild

    (Klinik für Innere Medizin II, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany)

  • Martin Scharpenberg

    (Kompetenzzentrum für Klinische Studien Bremen, Fachbereich 3, Mathematik und Informatik, Hochschule Bremen, 28358 Bremen, Germany)

  • Ivonne Rudolph

    (Waldburg-Zeil Kliniken, Rehabilitationsklinik Bad Salzelmen, Therapie/Leiterin Ambulante TherapieBadepark 5, 39218 Schönebeck, Germany)

  • Jens Büntzel

    (Klinik für HNO-Erkrankungen, Kopf-Hals-Chirurgie, Interdisziplinäre Palliativstation, Südharzklinikum, Robert-Koch-Straße 39, 99734 Nordhausen, Germany)

  • Jutta Huebner

    (Klinik für Innere Medizin II, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany)

Abstract

Purpose: Previous studies have shown that dancing can improve well-being, but few studies have looked at ballroom dancing. The present pilot study focuses on ballroom dancing and aims to investigate its effect on the physical, psychological, and mental well-being of cancer patients. Owing to COVID-19, face-to-face courses had to be replaced by online courses to continue the intervention and maintain learning progress; after the end of the pandemic, the courses could occur on site again when possible. Methods: For this cohort study, a total of 51 participants (38 patients and 12 healthy partners, no data for 1; 34 women and 9 men, no data for 8) participated. There were no limitations regarding the type of cancer, treatment, or comorbidities. It was an open access offering; participants were recruited through the newspaper and support groups. Using an anonymous standardized questionnaire and a numeric rating scale (NRS) ranging from 1 to 10, the participants were asked to rate their mental, physical, and psychological well-being at defined time points over one week. No side effects were registered and the teaching methods appeared to be practicable for the patients. Results: The pilot study showed an improvement in well-being after ballroom dancing. The results for physical, psychological, and mental well-being were significant ( p < 0.0001). On average, men reported better scores, and all improvements were significant for both men and women. Overall, the healthy partners rated their well-being slightly better on average than the patients. A mixed-model analysis with repeated measurements in SAS was used to evaluate significant results ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our data show that ballroom dancing for cancer patients has a positive effect on their well-being, even though their well-being returns to baseline levels within the following days. Positive effects were also demonstrated for participating healthy partners.

Suggested Citation

  • Rebecca Schild & Martin Scharpenberg & Ivonne Rudolph & Jens Büntzel & Jutta Huebner, 2025. "Effect of Ballroom Dancing on the Physical, Psychological, and Mental Well-Being of Oncological Patients: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(4), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:4:p:470-:d:1617923
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Valerio Bonavolontà & Francesca Greco & Umberto Sabatini & Francisco J. Saavedra & Francesco Fischetti & Carlo Baldari & Laura Guidetti & Maria Grazia Vaccaro & Gian Pietro Emerenziani, 2021. "Effects of Ballroom Dance on Physical Fitness and Reaction Time in Experienced Middle-Aged Adults of Both Genders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-9, February.
    2. Marcel Erlinghagen & Joachim R. Frick & Gert G. Wagner, 2006. "Ein Drittel der 17-jährigen Jugendlichen in Deutschland treibt keinen Sport," DIW Wochenbericht, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 73(29), pages 421-427.
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