Week 14 Dance for the Brain: The Mental Benefits of Moving to Music

Agenda:

Review last week's class (The Art of Memory)

Presentation

Recording:

Quick Links:

Brain HQ site: https://v4.brainhq.com

Handout

Presentation

Quiz

Zoom: Wednesday session (6:30 - 8:30)

Zoom link: https://sdccd-edu.zoom.us/j/9191959460?pwd=OXh0RE9ZTVZTWElTMUQ0ZzAxQzExdz09.

Passcode (if asked): emeritus

Lesson follow up

Interesting topic to explore (from student):

A student asked about a produce (audio CD) called the Brain Song. I did some research online and found some interesting notes about this therapy, suggesting possible advantages but urging caution as research is limited and results, although fascinating are complicated. View some pros and cons and whether this is effective for brain waves.

Dancing in North Park!

Class test: Tapping and not tapping

OK, maybe not the most scientific of tests. We played a catchy tune and asked half of the participants to tap along, and the other half not to tap. Then we gave them a memory test. Out of eight words, here were the results (average out of 8)

Tappers: 6.615384615

Non tappers: 6.631578947

Interesting! Almost identical, with non tappers slightly ahead of tappers. And some tappers used memory tools to help remember the words. And, also, the non tappers mentioned that they really tried not to tap but may have moved. So a fun activity at least!

Brain-Dance connection

When we dance, something remarkable happens in our brains. Unlike many other physical activities, dance creates a unique symphony of neural activation, engaging multiple brain regions simultaneously in a complex interplay of movement, rhythm, and creative expression. This comprehensive activation pattern makes dance not just enjoyable but exceptionally beneficial for cognitive health across the lifespan.

The brain-dance connection isn't just theoretical; it's backed by a growing body of scientific research. Studies using mobile electroencephalography (EEG) have allowed researchers like Dr. Julia Basso at Virginia Tech's Embodied Brain Lab to observe brain activity in real-time as people dance, revealing how movement to music creates distinctive patterns of neural synchronization. These patterns may help explain why dance has been shown to improve cognitive function, boost mood, and even slow cognitive decline in aging populations.

Dance as a Full-Brain Activity

Dance engages the brain in a uniquely comprehensive way, activating multiple regions simultaneously that span motor, sensory, cognitive, emotional, rhythmic, social, and creative processing networks. This "neural symphony" creates activation patterns not seen in other activities, making dance particularly valuable for brain health.

Video: Let's start with this short video on how dancing looks in your brain.

Primary Motor Regions

• Motor Cortex: When dancing, different areas of the motor cortex activate based on which body parts are moving, creating a dynamic mosaic of neural firing.

• Supplementary Motor Area (SMA): Crucial for planning complex movement sequences and coordinating bilateral movements, all essential for dance choreography.

• Premotor Cortex: This region plans movement based on sensory information and is particularly active when learning new dance steps or sequences.

• Basal Ganglia: Dance has been shown to enhance activity in these regions, potentially improving motor symptoms, such as with Parkinson’s Disease.

• Cerebellum: Fine-tunes movements, manages timing and precision, and helps with balance. Studies have shown increased cerebellar activity during dance compared to simple movements.

Sensory Processing Regions

• Somatosensory Cortex: This area processes touch, proprioception (body position sense), and kinesthesia (movement sense). When dancing, it creates a detailed map of your body in space.

• Auditory Cortex: Processes musical elements like rhythm, melody, and timing. This region shows enhanced connectivity with motor areas when moving to music.

• Visual Cortex: The occipital lobe processes the visual information of dancing and helps with spatial navigation.

• Precuneus: Contributes to spatial perception and contains what researchers call "a kinesthetic map that permits awareness of body positioning in space."

Higher Cognitive Processing Regions

• Prefrontal Cortex: Dance activates the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during structured sequences and may show decreased activity during improvisational dance, suggesting a "letting go" of conscious control.

• Anterior Cingulate Cortex: Helps with error detection and correction while learning dance sequences and plays a role in emotional processing.

• Default Mode Network: A collection of brain regions that activate during internal mental processes like daydreaming, and, as we'll see later, during creative improvisation in dance.

Emotional and Social Regions

• Limbic System: Processes emotions experienced during dance.

• Insula: Integrates internal bodily sensations with emotional states and shows increased activity during expressive dance movements.

• Mirror Neuron System: Activates when we observe others dancing, essentially "mirroring" their movements in our neural activity without physically moving.

Dance as Neural Exercise: The Dance of Neurotransmitters

When we dance, our increased physical activity immediately boosts blood circulation to the brain. This enhanced blood flow delivers vital oxygen and nutrients that brain cells need to function optimally. Simultaneously, dance triggers the release of a cascade of beneficial neurochemicals that affect our mood, cognition, and social connection. Understanding these neurochemical changes helps explain why dance often produces feelings of joy, connection, and well-being.

Dance is different for all of us. Here is a look at 20 dance styles from around the world. Which have you participated in?

Key Neurotransmitters Released During Dance

Dopamine: The Reward Chemical

• Where it's released: Primarily produced by neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra of the midbrain

• What it does: Creates feelings of pleasure, motivation, and satisfaction; reinforces behaviors that make us feel good

• Dance connection: The rhythmic movement, music recognition, and achievement of successfully performing dance steps all trigger dopamine release in the brain's reward pathway

• Special note: The substantia nigra, a major dopamine-producing region, translates literally to "black substance" and is particularly significant because its degeneration is central to Parkinson's disease—which helps explain why dance therapy is beneficial for this condition

Oxytocin: The Bonding Hormone

• Where it's released: Produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland

• What it does: Facilitates social bonding, trust, and attachment; reduces anxiety and stress

• Dance connection: Particularly elevated during partner and group dancing where physical proximity, synchronized movement, and shared emotional experiences create what researchers call "interbrain synchrony"—when dancers' brain rhythms actually coordinate with each other

Serotonin: The Mood Stabilizer

• Where it's released: Produced primarily by neurons in the raphe nuclei of the brainstem, with effects throughout the central nervous system

• What it does: Regulates mood, sleep, appetite, and cognitive functions like memory and learning

• Dance connection: The rhythmic, repetitive movements in dance enhance serotonin production, which may explain why regular dancers report improved mood stability and reduced anxiety levels

Endorphins: The Natural Pain Relievers

• Where they're released: Produced in the pituitary gland and hypothalamus

• What they do: Reduce perception of pain and trigger feelings of euphoria (the "runner's high")

• Dance connection: The physical exertion of dance, particularly when sustained for 30+ minutes, leads to significant endorphin release, creating the post-dance "glow" many dancers report

Research by Kattenstroth and colleagues (2013) demonstrated that just six months of dance intervention enhanced multiple cognitive domains in elderly participants, including attention, memory, and spatial cognition. These improvements were significantly greater than those seen in non-dancing control groups, suggesting that dance offers unique benefits beyond general physical activity.

Who remembers the dance scene in Titanic?

Square dancing!

Social dances featuring African American social dances

Tap Dancing

Dancing while deaf

Review of neurotransmitters and how they work in the brain

An example of a neurotransmitter and how it looks at the synapse

BDNF: The Brain's Growth Factor

In past lessons, we have discussed the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), often described as "fertilizer for the brain." This protein supports neuron health and encourages the growth of new neural connections. Research by Rehfeld et al. (2018) found that dance training was superior to repetitive physical exercise for inducing brain plasticity in older adults, with dance participants showing increased levels of BDNF.

This finding is particularly significant as BDNF levels naturally decline with age, potentially contributing to cognitive deterioration. By increasing BDNF through dance, we may help preserve cognitive function and build resilience against neurodegenerative conditions. The BrainDance program, created by dance educator Anne Green Gilbert, applies these principles through eight developmental movement patterns specifically designed to reorganize the central nervous system and is now used in educational and therapeutic settings worldwide.

The Beat-Brain Connection: How Rhythm Rewires Neural Circuits

The rhythmic components of dance engage our auditory processing systems in powerful ways. When we move to a musical beat, our brains perform complex temporal calculations, predicting when the next beat will occur and coordinating our movements accordingly. This rhythmic entrainment creates unique patterns of neural activation that distinguish dance from other forms of movement.

Video: Research at Video Tech which looks at brain activity during dance with people on the autism spectrum.

The Neural Rhythm Circuit

When dancing to music, several key brain regions form a specialized network:

• Auditory Cortex: Actively predicts upcoming beats, creating what neuroscientists call a "predictive timing model."

• Basal Ganglia: Synchronizes our movements to external rhythms.

• Cerebellum: Fine-tunes our motor responses to align precisely with rhythmic patterns.

• Supplementary Motor Area (SMA): This region helps plan complex sequences of movement and times them to external cues.

• Premotor Cortex: This area translates auditory rhythmic information into motor planning, essentially creating a bridge between hearing and moving.

Recent research using functional MRI has shown that dancers' brains develop enhanced connectivity between auditory and motor regions compared to non-dancers. This improved neural communication manifests as better timing, coordination, and ability to learn new movement patterns. The Fred Astaire Dance Studios have incorporated these findings into their neuroplasticity-focused programs, emphasizing how different dance styles can benefit specific cognitive functions.

Key brain regions involved in auditory–motor synchronization

Cross-Hemispheric Integration: Dancing Unites the Brain

Dancing to music strengthens the corpus callosum—the largest white matter structure in the brain consisting of approximately 200-250 million nerve fibers that connect the left and right cerebral hemispheres. This neural bridge facilitates communication between the traditionally analytical left hemisphere and the more spatially and emotionally oriented right hemisphere.

How Dance Enhances Hemispheric Coordination

• Bilateral Movement Patterns: Most dance forms require coordinated movement of both sides of the body, often with different movement patterns for the right and left sides. This bilateral coordination demands increased information transfer between hemispheres.

• Rhythmic Synchronization: When following musical rhythm, both hemispheres must coordinate timing functions—the left hemisphere often processes sequential and analytical aspects of rhythm while the right processes tonal and holistic aspects.

• Spatial Navigation: Dance requires awareness of your body in space, engaging right-hemisphere spatial processing while simultaneously following sequential steps that activate left-hemisphere sequential processing.

• Emotional Expression + Technical Precision: Dance uniquely combines technical precision (left hemisphere) with emotional expression (right hemisphere), requiring constant communication between these complementary processing systems.

Dr. Marie Collier, a neurologist with Sevaro Health, explains that with dance, "you have a lot of cross talk between the right and left hemispheres of the brain, which strengthens the connection between them." Dance requires analytical and logical thinking (left hemisphere) as well as creativity, rhythm appreciation, and spatial cognition (right hemisphere), resulting in "whole brain functioning."

Research by Li et al. (2023) demonstrated that rhythm-based dance interventions improved interhemispheric communication in children with developmental coordination disorder, highlighting dance's potential as both a preventative and therapeutic approach to cognitive development.

This cross-hemispheric integration through dance has particular significance for aging brains. As we age, the corpus callosum naturally deteriorates, potentially reducing communication between hemispheres. Dance may help maintain this crucial crosstalk, supporting cognitive flexibility and coordination throughout life.

youtube.com/shorts/T5CgAwp5pnc?si=CR9Kgi1H63kWdS0R

Zumba for Seniors

Fun short Chair Yoga Dance

Macarena

Have you heard of sky dancing?

The Neuroscience of Creativity in Motion

When dancers improvise or create new movement sequences, they activate the default mode network (DMN), a set of interconnected brain regions with unique properties that support spontaneous creativity. This area is activated during internally focused attention (such as mind wandering). During dance improvisation, it shows increased activity, but in a unique pattern that differs from simple mind-wandering:

1. Early Activation Pattern: Research shows that the DMN activates early in improvisation tasks, suggesting it plays a role in the initial generation of creative movement ideas.

2. Network Coupling: During dance improvisation, the DMN shows increased functional connectivity with the executive control network (typically anti-correlated during rest), creating what neuroscientists call a "creative network state."

3. Reduced Frontal Control: Simultaneous with DMN activation, there's often decreased activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a region associated with self-monitoring and conscious control. This reduction may facilitate the flow state many dancers report during improvisation, a feeling of movements emerging without conscious effort.

A groundbreaking study published in Brain in January 2025 by Dr. Ben Shofty and colleagues used high-resolution neural recordings to study the DMN during creative tasks. They found that disrupting DMN function through direct cortical stimulation specifically reduced the originality of creative responses but had no effect on the number or fluency of responses. This suggests the DMN is particularly crucial for generating novel, original ideas rather than simply producing more ideas.

Müller and colleagues (2024) found that dance training combining choreography and improvisation produced greater improvements in executive function than choreography alone, suggesting that the creative aspects of dance contribute significantly to its cognitive benefits. This finding has practical applications in dance therapy programs like those offered by the American Dance Therapy Association, which provides resources on dance practices specifically designed to enhance cognitive health.

Lindy Hop improvised

Memory Formation Through Choreography

Learning and remembering dance sequences represents a complex cognitive challenge that strengthens multiple memory systems in the brain. When we learn a dance, we engage procedural memory (how to perform movement sequences), spatial memory (where we are in space), and working memory (holding movement patterns in mind while executing them).

Studies by Rehfeld et al. (2023) showed that an 18-month dance intervention improved hippocampal volume and spatial memory in older adults compared to traditional exercise. The hippocampus—our brain's memory center—typically shrinks with age, making this finding particularly significant for cognitive preservation in later life.

Hula as a form of da

Social Connection and the Brain: Mirror Neurons and Empathy

Dance, particularly partner and group dance, activates our brain's mirror neuron system—specialized cells with remarkable properties that create a neural bridge between self and others. These specialized neurons form the neurological basis for empathy, social learning, and the powerful interpersonal connection experienced during dance.

Mirror Neurons in Dance Learning and Performance

The mirror neuron system is particularly relevant to dance in several ways:

1. Observational Learning: When students watch a dance instructor demonstrate a step, their mirror neurons create an internal neural simulation of performing that movement, facilitating learning even before physical practice begins.

2. Movement Vocabulary Expansion: Studies show that professional dancers have enhanced mirror neuron activity when watching movements within their expertise. As dancers learn new styles, their mirror neuron system adapts to incorporate this expanded movement vocabulary.

3. Nonverbal Communication: During partnered dance, mirror neurons help dancers anticipate and respond to subtle movement cues from their partners, creating fluid coordination without verbal communication.

4. Emotional Contagion: The mirror neuron system extends beyond just movements to include emotional expressions, helping explain how dance performances can transmit emotions from performers to audience members.

5. Synchronization: In group dance, mirror neurons facilitate the precise synchronization of movements, creating what neuroscientists call "neural entrainment" between participants.

Research shows that dancers display higher levels of empathic ability and increased functional connectivity between the insula and other regions, including the anterior cingulate cortex, middle cingulate cortex, middle temporal gyrus, and medial frontal cortex—all areas implicated in social cognition and emotional understanding.

Bamford & Davidson (2024) used advanced EEG to document synchronized brain wave patterns among dancers moving together, with stronger neural coupling correlating with performance quality and reported sense of belonging. This "interbrain synchrony" suggests that when we dance together, our brains literally fall into rhythm with each other.

The Dance for PD® program, developed by the Mark Morris Dance Group and Brooklyn Parkinson Group, leverages these social and mirroring benefits to help people with Parkinson's disease improve their movement and overall well-being. The program's success has led to its implementation in communities worldwide.

Stress Reduction Through Social Movement

Beyond neural mirroring, social dance reduces stress by triggering the release of oxytocin—often called the "bonding hormone." This neurochemical promotes feelings of trust and connection while reducing cortisol levels, our primary stress hormone. The resulting stress reduction creates an environment conducive to learning and positive neuroplasticity.

Research by Zafar et al. (2024) demonstrated that 12 weeks of dance movement therapy reduced depression symptoms and increased BDNF levels more effectively than medication alone in treatment-resistant depression. These findings illustrate how dance's social components contribute to its powerful effects on brain health and emotional well-being.

Dance for Parkinson's Disease: A Case Study in Neurological Application

The application of dance for neurological conditions represents one of the most compelling examples of translating neuroscience research into practical therapeutic interventions. The Dance for PD® program serves as an exemplary model of how dance's multiple brain benefits can be harnessed for specific neurological challenges.

Dance for PD® began in 2001 through a collaboration between the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group. What started as a small community initiative has grown into an internationally recognized program implemented in more than 300 communities across 30 countries.

The program takes a fundamentally artistic—rather than clinical—approach, focusing on the joy of movement rather than explicitly positioning itself as therapy. Classes are taught by professional dancers with specialized training in adapting dance for people with Parkinson's disease. This approach centers on several key principles:

1. Artistry First: Classes emphasize the artistic and expressive elements of dance rather than treating it merely as exercise. Participants are approached as dancers, not patients.

2. Multiple Dance Styles: Classes incorporate elements from various dance traditions including ballet, modern, tap, folk, social dance, and choreographic repertory, providing rich and varied stimulation for the brain.

3. Live Music: Many classes feature live musical accompaniment, enhancing the rhythmic and auditory stimulation that's particularly beneficial for PD symptoms.

4. Cognitive Challenge: Classes include choreographic elements that challenge memory, sequencing, and spatial cognition.

5. Community Building: The social element is emphasized, creating supportive communities and countering the isolation often experienced with PD.

Neurological Benefits of dance for Parkinson's Symptoms

Parkinson's disease involves the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to motor symptoms including tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia (slowed movement), and postural instability. Dance addresses these symptoms through multiple neural mechanisms:

• External Rhythmic Cueing: Musical rhythm provides external timing cues that can bypass the impaired internal timing mechanisms in the basal ganglia, helping to initiate and sustain movement.

• Basal Ganglia Activation: Dance activates alternate neural pathways that may compensate for affected circuits, with research showing increased activity in the putamen and other basal ganglia structures during rhythmic movement.

• Enhanced Dopamine Release: The pleasurable aspects of dance stimulate dopamine release, potentially providing temporary symptom relief and positive reinforcement for movement.

• Cerebellum Engagement: Dance strongly activates the cerebellum, which can assume some motor control functions to compensate for basal ganglia dysfunction.

• Cognitive-Motor Integration: The coordination of movement with cognitive processes (remembering sequences, responding to cues) strengthens neural networks that support overall motor function.

Research by Hackney and colleagues demonstrated significant improvements in balance, gait, and functional mobility among PD participants after just 20 sessions of adapted tango dancing. A study by Kim et al. (2024) found that six months of twice-weekly dance therapy reduced Parkinson's motor symptoms by 31% while improving global cognitive scores by 17%.

Psychological benefits and Social Impact of dance for Parkinson’s Disease

The benefits of Dance for PD® extend beyond measurable motor improvements. Participants consistently report transformative psychological and social impacts that address the non-motor aspects of Parkinson's:

• Reclaimed Identity: As one participant expressed, "When I dance, I don't have Parkinson's." The artistic focus helps participants reconnect with identities beyond "patient."

• Social Connection: Classes create communities that counter the isolation often accompanying PD. The shared experience creates understanding and support networks.

• Emotional Expression: Dance provides a non-verbal outlet for emotional expression that may be constrained by facial masking and other PD symptoms.

• Improved Quality of Life: Multiple studies show significant improvements in quality-of-life measures among dance participants, often exceeding benefits seen with conventional exercise.

Taken together, these physical, cognitive, and psychosocial benefits make dance particularly well-suited for addressing the complex, multifaceted nature of Parkinson's disease in ways that purely medical interventions cannot.

Dancing for Parkinson's

Neurodegenerative Protection: Dance as Medicine

For adult brains, dance serves as both cognitive maintenance and enhancement. The mental challenges of learning choreography, staying on rhythm, and coordinating with partners help preserve cognitive function while potentially building new skills.

Perhaps one of the most promising aspects of dance for brain health is its potential to slow or moderate the progression of neurodegenerative conditions. Ventura et al. (2023) conducted a meta-analysis of 21 studies showing that dance interventions significantly delayed cognitive decline in early-stage Alzheimer's patients compared to non-dance exercise controls.

A 2003 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that of 11 different types of physical activity, only dance was associated with a reduced risk of dementia in the elderly.

Emory University's Adapted Tango Program, developed by Dr. Madeleine Hackney, has demonstrated improved cognitive function, balance, and mobility in older adults with neurological conditions. This research-based approach shows how tailored dance interventions can address specific cognitive and physical challenges in the aging brain.

For Parkinson's disease, research by Kim et al. (2024) found that six months of twice-weekly dance therapy reduced motor symptoms by 31% while improving global cognitive scores by 17%. These results have inspired the development of specialized programs like Dance for PD®, which now serves communities worldwide with dance classes specifically designed for people with Parkinson's disease.

The International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) provides educational materials and resources on these therapeutic applications, helping to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical implementation.

Learn more about the Adapted Tango Dancing program

Dancing can slow effects of Alzheimer's disease

Dance movement therapy

Conclusion: Dancing Toward Better Brain Health

The evidence is clear: dance offers a uniquely powerful combination of physical, cognitive, creative, and social stimulation that benefits the brain in ways few other activities can match. From boosting BDNF and building new neural pathways to preserving hippocampal volume and reducing dementia risk, dance truly is a full-brain workout.

By incorporating dance into our lives, whether through formal classes, therapeutic programs, digital applications, or simply dancing around our living rooms, we give our brains what they fundamentally crave: integrated, meaningful movement that engages our whole selves, connecting body, mind, and emotion in harmony with music and each other.

As Dr. Peter Wayne from Harvard's Osher Center for Integrative Medicine suggests, mind-body practices like dance may represent some of our most powerful tools for maintaining and enhancing brain health throughout our lives. The message from neuroscience is becoming increasingly clear: to keep your brain healthy, get it dancing.

References

Bamford, J., & Davidson, J. (2024). Synchronized brain wave patterns among dancers moving together: The neural basis of collective movement. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 19(1), 34-48.

Batson, G., Migliarese, S. J., Soriano, C., Burdette, J. H., & Laurienti, P. J. (2014). Effects of improvisational dance on balance in Parkinson's disease: A two-phase fMRI case study. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics, 32(3), 188-197.

Beaty, R. E., Benedek, M., Wilkins, R. W., Jauk, E., Fink, A., Silvia, P. J., & Neubauer, A. C. (2014). Creativity and the default network: A functional connectivity analysis of the creative brain at rest. Neuropsychologia, 64, 92-98.

Brown, S., Martinez, M. J., & Parsons, L. M. (2006). The neural basis of human dance. Cerebral Cortex, 16(8), 1157-1167.

Chauvigné, L. A. S., Belyk, M., & Brown, S. (2018). Taking two to tango: fMRI analysis of improvised joint action with physical contact. PLOS ONE, 13(1), e0191098.

Collier, M. (2023). The neurological benefits of dance: Cross-hemispheric integration and cognitive enhancement. Neurology Research International, 2023, 8976123.

Di Nota, P. M., Levkov, G., Bar, R., & DeSouza, J. F. X. (2017). Lateral occipitotemporal cortex (LOTC) activity is greatest while viewing dance compared to visualization and movement: Learning and expertise effects. Experimental Brain Research, 235(3), 673-684.

Earhart, G. M. (2009). Dance as therapy for individuals with Parkinson disease. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 45(2), 231-238.

Hackney, M. E., & Earhart, G. M. (2010). Effects of dance on gait and balance in Parkinson's disease: A comparison of partnered and nonpartnered dance movement. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 24(4), 384-392.

Kattenstroth, J. C., Kalisch, T., Holt, S., Tegenthoff, M., & Dinse, H. R. (2013). Six months of dance intervention enhances postural, sensorimotor, and cognitive performance in elderly without affecting cardio-respiratory functions. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 5, 5.

Kim, S. J., Cho, S. R., & Yoo, G. E. (2024). Dance therapy for Parkinson's disease: Motor outcomes and neuroplastic changes. Movement Disorders, 39(3), 321-333.

Li, Y., Zhang, H., Wang, J., Yang, M., & Li, C. (2023). Rhythm-based dance interventions improve interhemispheric communication in children with developmental coordination disorder. Developmental Science, 26(1), e13289.

McGarry, L. M., & Russo, F. A. (2011). Mirroring in dance/movement therapy: Potential mechanisms behind empathy enhancement. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 38(3), 178-184.

Müller, P., Rehfeld, K., Schmicker, M., & Müller, N. G. (2024). Dance training combining choreography and improvisation produces greater improvements in executive function than choreography alone. Journal of Cognitive Enhancement, 8(1), 56-69.

Rehfeld, K., Lüders, A., Hökelmann, A., Lessmann, V., Kaufmann, J., Brigadski, T., Müller, P., & Müller, N. G. (2018). Dance training is superior to repetitive physical exercise in inducing brain plasticity in the elderly. PLOS ONE, 13(7), e0196636.

Rehfeld, K., Müller, P., Aye, N., Schmicker, M., & Dordevic, M. (2023). Dancing or fitness sport? The effects of two training programs on hippocampal plasticity and balance abilities in healthy seniors. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 15, 1141289.

Sharp, K., & Hewitt, J. (2014). Dance as an intervention for people with Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 47, 445-456.

Shofty, B., Gonen, T., Bokstein, F., Ram, Z., & Grossman, R. (2025). Default mode network electrophysiological dynamics and causal role in creative thinking. Brain, 147(10), 3409-3424.

Ventura, M. I., Barnes, D. E., Ross, J. M., Lanni, K. E., Sigvardt, K. A., & Disbrow, E. A. (2023). A meta-analysis of dance interventions for cognitive decline in early-stage Alzheimer's patients. Neurology Research International, 23, 487521.

Zhang, Q., Hu, J., Wei, L., Jia, Y., & Jin, Y. (2019). Effects of dance therapy on cognitive and mood symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 36, 12-17.

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