A recent study has found that group activities similar to dancing and art therapy could effectively reduce anxiety and depression.
Engaging in these activities offers hope to individuals facing mental health challenges, and helps improve emotional well-being by making a sense of connection and healing.
The findings of the study, published within the British Medical Journal, checked out different art activities for individuals with anxiety and depression. They found that activities like dancing, music therapy, art therapy, martial arts, and theater may help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Nonetheless, more research is required to know which activities work best for various outcomes and the way they compare to one another.
The researchers checked out various kinds of performance art like dance therapy, music therapy, art therapy, martial arts-based therapies, and theater with an aim to know how these art forms may help improve mental health and reduce feelings of tension and depression.
The researchers conducted a radical review of 171 studies spanning from 2004 through 2021, specializing in 12 chosen ones for further evaluation. It seems that anxiety and depression were the first areas of interest in nearly all of these studies. Nonetheless, it’s value noting that there appears to be a comparatively limited exploration of other vital outcomes similar to well-being, quality of life, and on a regular basis communication.
The studies reviewed showed that dance had a positive effect on mental health and reduced depression and anxiety. Similarly, art therapy, including clay art therapy, was found to lower anxiety and depression levels. These findings indicate that dance and art therapy have the potential in improving mental well-being.
“Anxiety and depression are major global health challenges, for which we desperately need non-drug treatments that reduce symptoms. Our review found real promise across a spread of studies – but this field of research has stagnated,” says Dr. Max Barnish, the study’s writer from the University of Exeter Medical School, in a media release. “We now need researchers to work across the performing arts to match group therapies to one another, so we are able to establish which sort of activity is handiest in reducing symptoms.”
Published by Medicaldaily.com