Dance-Mindfulness program combining Modern Theatre Dance and embodied mindfulness for adult recreational dancers.
Mindful Embodied Movement: A 12-Week Modern Dance-Mindfulness Intervention and Mixed-Methods Randomized Controlled Trial in Recreational Adult Dancers
NA · University of Thessaly · NCT07262177
This 12-week program tests whether combining Modern Theatre Dance with mindfulness, breath-movement practices, and somatic exercises can reduce stress and improve wellbeing in adults who attend recreational dance classes.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 160 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Thessaly (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Trikala, Thessaly) |
| Trial ID | NCT07262177 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized, parallel-assignment trial will enroll about 320 adult recreational dancers and randomize roughly half to a 12-week Dance-Mindfulness intervention and half to a waitlist control. The intervention integrates ISTD Modern Theatre Dance technique (Grades 2–4) with polyvagal-informed breath-movement synchronization, somatic nervous-system regulation practices, and weekly phenomenological journaling and post-session integration. Primary outcomes include perceived stress, mindfulness, emotional wellbeing, and life satisfaction measured before and after the 12-week program. The protocol is delivered in-person at community dance schools affiliated with the University of Thessaly and uses computer-generated block randomization.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older who have been enrolled in modern/contemporary dance classes at participating schools for at least six months, can attend weekly sessions (≥70% attendance), can perform moderate-intensity movement, understand Greek, and provide informed consent are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with musculoskeletal or neurological conditions that limit safe moderate-intensity movement, those experiencing severe psychological distress or a current mental-health crisis, pregnant individuals, or those unable to attend in-person weekly sessions are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could lower perceived stress and improve emotional regulation, embodied awareness, and life satisfaction among recreational adult dancers.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work shows that dance and mindfulness separately can improve mood and stress, and somatic-movement programs have promising results, but standardized integrations of ISTD-based dance with formal mindfulness practices in routine recreational classes are relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 years and older * Enrolled in dance classes (preferring modern/contemporary) at participating schools for at least 6 months prior to study enrollment * Able and willing to attend weekly sessions for 12 consecutive weeks (minimum 70% attendance required) * Able to understand and complete study questionnaires in Greek language * Able to engage in moderate-intensity movement and dance activities without acute medical contraindications * Written informed consent provided * Willing to be randomly assigned to intervention or waitlist control group Exclusion Criteria: * Musculoskeletal or neurological conditions limiting safe participation in moderate-intensity movement (e.g., acute injury, severe arthritis, neurological disease affecting coordination/balance) * Current severe psychological distress or mental health crisis requiring immediate clinical intervention (screened via DASS-21; cutoff: Severe or Extremely Severe on any subscale) * Pregnancy or planning pregnancy during the 12-week study period * Current concurrent participation in other psychological interventions, therapy, or mind-body programs (Pilates, yoga, tai-chi, other mindfulness-based interventions) * Unable to attend ≥70% of weekly sessions due to scheduling constraints or anticipated absences * Inability to provide informed consent or complete questionnaires in Greek * Acute medical illness or hospitalization within 2 weeks of study start * History of substance abuse disorder currently active or untreated
Where this trial is running
Trikala, Thessaly
- Department of PE and Sport Science (DPESS), University of Thessaly — Trikala, Thessaly, Greece (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Aglaia Zafeiroudi, SES — University of Thessaly
- Study coordinator: AGLAIA ZAFEIROUDI, Special Educational Staff
- Email: azafeiroudi@uth.gr
- Phone: +306944334681
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Healthy Volunteers, Health Promotion, somatic education, embodied phenomenology, community-based dance education, dance movement therapy, psychological wellbeing, mindfulness