Abstract
Aims: Dance therapy is a recognised form of complementary medicine, primarily
used with therapeutic intent. Additionally, recreational dance has been shown to
be beneficial in individuals with certain physical and psychological disabilities.
Indian classical dances are believed to alleviate anxiety and depression, prevent
musculoskeletal problems by improving posture, body-awareness, and neuromuscular coordination. This study was conducted to investigate if recreational Kuchipudi dance, an Indian traditional dance form, can be used as a public health intervention to manage psychological distress and musculoskeletal injury.
Methods: A repeated measures design was used. Twenty-one healthy young
individuals filled out a questionnaire assessing their level of psychological distress, problems with neuromuscular coordination, and level of disability from lower back pain. They then underwent structured training in Kuchipudi dance for 6 months. At the end of 6 months, the same questionnaire was administered again, and the pre- and post-intervention scores were compared.
Results: There was a statistically significant reduction in the scores of all domains tested.
Conclusions: Recreational Kuchipudi dance is shown to have beneficial effects on physical and psychological disability.
used with therapeutic intent. Additionally, recreational dance has been shown to
be beneficial in individuals with certain physical and psychological disabilities.
Indian classical dances are believed to alleviate anxiety and depression, prevent
musculoskeletal problems by improving posture, body-awareness, and neuromuscular coordination. This study was conducted to investigate if recreational Kuchipudi dance, an Indian traditional dance form, can be used as a public health intervention to manage psychological distress and musculoskeletal injury.
Methods: A repeated measures design was used. Twenty-one healthy young
individuals filled out a questionnaire assessing their level of psychological distress, problems with neuromuscular coordination, and level of disability from lower back pain. They then underwent structured training in Kuchipudi dance for 6 months. At the end of 6 months, the same questionnaire was administered again, and the pre- and post-intervention scores were compared.
Results: There was a statistically significant reduction in the scores of all domains tested.
Conclusions: Recreational Kuchipudi dance is shown to have beneficial effects on physical and psychological disability.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 63-68 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | AMSA Journal of Global Health |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2020 |
Keywords
- Kuchipudi dance
- Dance therapy
- Complementary medicine