Dance-Mindfulness Intervention for Well-Being in Recreational Adults
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-60
SponsorUniversity of Thessaly
About this trial
This 12-week study protocol outlines a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a Dance-Mindfulness intervention integrating Modern Theatre Dance with mindfulness-based embodied practices to enhance psychological wellbeing, nervous system regulation, and embodied awareness in adults. The intervention combines: (1) polyvagal-informed breath-movement synchronization (nasal breathing, grounding); (2) ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) Modern Theatre Dance technique progression and dance movements (Grades 2-4); (3) nervous system regulation through somatic practices; and (4) phenomenological reflection via weekly journaling and post-session integration.
Study Design: Parallel-assignment randomized controlled trial (approx. N=320; n=160 intervention, n=160 waitlist control). Randomization uses computer-generated block randomization (block sizes 4-6).
Outcomes: Perceived stress, mindfulness psychological wellbeing (happiness, life satisfaction), emotional regulation, social connection, movement confidence.
Qualitative Component: Phenomenological interviews and weekly reflective journals from subsample (approx. n=20) analyzed via Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Reflexive Thematic Analysis.
Intervention Delivery: 90-100 minute weekly sessions delivered over 12 weeks by qualified facilitator(s) trained in Modern Theatre Dance, mindfulness (≥3 years personal practice, MBSR, yoga or equivalent), trauma-informed care, and group facilitation. Sessions include 8 structured components: breath-grounding (9-10 min), technical dance work (14-15 min), conditioning (9-10 min), break-settling (4-5 min), rhythm improvisation (8-9 min), choreographed sequences (15-17 min), cool-down-integration (8-9 min), and phenomenological journaling (10-20 min).
Safety \& Fidelity: Structured facilitator guidelines, session checklists, weekly supervision, adverse event protocols, and external fidelity monitoring ensure protocol integrity. Classroom size: 15-18 participants per session.
Data Collection: Baseline (Week 0), mid-intervention (Week 6 only for qualitative), post-intervention (Week 12), and optional 1-3 month follow-up. Intent to treat analysis and mixed-effects modeling for between-group comparisons. Population: Adults (age 18+) seeking wellbeing enhancement through recreation or stress reduction. Eligible participants without acute mental health crisis. Primary Purpose: Health promotion and mental health improvement through nervous system regulation, embodied awareness, and psychosocial wellbeing enhancement.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
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
Disqualifiers
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)
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Dance-Mindfulness Intervention
BehavioralA 12-week integrated dance-mindfulness program combining ISTD Modern Theatre Dance technique with polyvagal-informed breathing, somatic practices, and phenomenological reflection. Sessions are 90-100 minutes weekly, delivered in groups of 15-18 participants by trained facilitator(s). The intervention integrates breath-movement synchronization (9-10 min), technical dance work (14-15 min), conditioning (9-10 min), rhythm \& improvisation (8-9 min), choreographed sequences (15-17 min), cool-down integration (8-9 min), and phenomenological journaling (10-20 min). Three-phase progression: Phase 1 (Weeks 1-4) establishes safety and foundational skills; Phase 2 (Weeks 5-8) expands embodied exploration; Phase 3 (Weeks 9-12) focuses on expressive integration and self-regulation consolidation.
Treatment groups
160 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Dance-Mindfulness InterventionExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: ControlNo intervention 0 interventions
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Life Satisfaction (Satisfaction With Life Scale - SWLS)
The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) is a 5-item self-report measure assessing global life satisfaction. Items are rated on a 7-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree, 7 = Strongly Agree). Total score ranges 5-35, with higher scores indicating greater life satisfaction. Scoring: 31-35 = High satisfaction, 26-30 = Moderate satisfaction, 21-25 = Low satisfaction, 15-20 = Dissatisfied, 5-14 = Highly dissatisfied. The scale has demonstrated reliability (α = .79) and validity across diverse populations. Administration time: 2-3 minutes.
Time frame
Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 12)2
Psychological Distress (DASS-21: Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale)
The DASS-21 is a 21-item self-report scale measuring depression, anxiety, and stress across three 7-item subscales. Items are rated 0-3 (0 = Never, 3 = Almost Always). Subscale scores range 0-21 each, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity. Interpretation per subscale: 0-7 = Normal/Minimal, 8-9 = Mild, 10-14 = Moderate, 15-19 = Severe, 20-21 = Extremely Severe. The scale demonstrates good internal consistency (α = .81-.87 across subscales) and has been validated in Greek populations. Subscales measure: Depression (emotional dysphoria, hopelessness), Anxiety (autonomic arousal, fear, worry), and Stress (tension, irritability, difficulty relaxing). Administration time: 5-7 minutes.
Time frame
Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 12)3
Mindfulness (Mindful Attention Awareness Scale - MAAS)
The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) is a 15-item unidimensional measure of trait mindfulness, assessing the ability to maintain present-moment attention and awareness. Items are rated on a 6-point Likert scale (1 = Almost Always, 6 = Almost Never). Total scores range 15-90, with higher scores indicating greater mindfulness capacity and present-moment awareness. Interpretation: 15-40 = Low mindfulness, 41-65 = Moderate mindfulness, 66-90 = High mindfulness. The scale demonstrates good internal consistency (α = .82) and has been validated cross-culturally. MAAS captures the core mechanism of mindfulness-based interventions attentional awareness in daily life. Administration time: 4-5 minutes.
Time frame
Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 12)4
Subjective Happiness (Subjective Happiness Scale - SHS)
The Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) is a brief 4-item self-report measure of overall happiness and positive affect. Items use varied response formats with 7-point scales. Total scores range 4-28, with higher scores reflecting greater happiness. Interpretation: 4-10 = Unhappy, 11-18 = Moderately happy, 19-28 = Very happy. The scale has demonstrated good reliability (α = .86) and validity as a global well-being indicator. Direction: Higher scores on this measure are desirable and indicate better psychological well-being. Administration time: 2-3 minutes.
Time frame
Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 12)Secondary outcomes
1
Movement Identity and Personal Meaning-Making (Qualitative Narrative Analysis)
Qualitative analysis of journal entries and interviews examining personal meaning-making, movement identity development, and psychological integration of embodied practices. Coded dimensions include: (1) Movement Identity, shifts in self-perception as a mover, dancer, embodied being; changes in body image, movement confidence, creative expression; (2) Meaning-Making, personal significance attributed to dance experience, psychological insights, transformative moments; (3) Life Integration, application of embodied awareness and regulation skills beyond dance sessions; sustained practice and internalization; (4) Social Connection, experienced sense of belonging, group attunement, relational aspects of embodied practice. Qualitative meaning-making themes complement quantitative leisure involvement and life satisfaction outcomes, illustrating the depth of psychological and identity-level changes fostered by the integrated Dance-Mindfulness program.
Time frame
Weekly journals (Weeks 1-12); Post-intervention interviews (Week 12)Sponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
University of Thessaly
Lead sponsor
Aristotle University Of Thessaloniki
Collaborator
Source ClinicalTrials.gov