Performing arts as a health resource? An umbrella review of the health impacts of music and dance participation.

J Matt Mccrary,Emma Redding,Eckart Altenmüller,Emily S Cross

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0252956

Abstract

An increasing body of evidence notes the health benefits of arts engagement and participation. However, specific health effects and optimal modes and 'doses' of arts participation remain unclear, limiting evidence-based recommendations and prescriptions. The performing arts are the most popular form of arts participation, presenting substantial scope for established interest to be leveraged into positive health outcomes. Results of a three-component umbrella review (PROSPERO ID #: CRD42020191991) of relevant systematic reviews (33), epidemiologic studies (9) and descriptive studies (87) demonstrate that performing arts participation is broadly health promoting activity. Beneficial effects of performing arts participation were reported in healthy (non-clinical) children, adolescents, adults, and older adults across 17 health domains (9 supported by moderate-high quality evidence (GRADE criteria)). Positive health effects were associated with as little as 30 (acute effects) to 60 minutes (sustained weekly participation) of performing arts participation, with drumming and both expressive (ballroom, social) and exercise-based (aerobic dance, Zumba) modes of dance linked to the broadest health benefits. Links between specific health effects and performing arts modes/doses remain unclear and specific conclusions are limited by a still young and disparate evidence base. Further research is necessary, with this umbrella review providing a critical knowledge foundation.

Highlights

Participation and receptive engagement in the arts are increasingly recognized as being health promoting, most notably in policy briefs [1], a recent World Health Organization-commissioned scoping review [2], and social prescribing initiatives [3]
9 observational studies investigating the impact of performing arts participation on mortality and non-communicable disease risk (3 dance, 5 music, 1 dance & music) were included, as well as 87 studies reporting heart rate responses during performing arts participation (71 dance, 16 music)
Review articles and observational studies of mortality and non-communicable disease risk are directly referenced in this manuscript (Tables 1 and 2); the complete list of references, including studies investigating heart rate responses, is contained in the S1 Appendix

Summary

Introduction

Participation and receptive engagement in the arts are increasingly recognized as being health promoting, most notably in policy briefs [1], a recent World Health Organization-commissioned scoping review [2], and social prescribing initiatives [3]. The widespread integration of the arts into healthcare and public health practices is limited by a disparate evidence base; the specifics of the most effective arts interventions–namely the mode (specific ‘type’ of art–e.g. ballroom dance, singing) and ‘dose’ (frequency and timing/duration)–for various clinical and public health scenarios are still unclear [4]. Formulation of evidencebased arts prescriptions and recommendations is presently difficult [4]. An umbrella review of the health impacts of music and dance participation. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

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