Evidence is what separates well-meaning ideas from dance interventions that truly make a difference.
We’ve always believed in the transformative power of dance. Whether it’s breaking up a long day in the office with a quick dance break or lifting the spirits of someone in recovery, dance can play a powerful role in our lives. But in recent years, we’ve noticed a trend that we need to address—a term that’s thrown around a lot in health and wellness spaces: evidence-based.
When we say a dance intervention is “evidence-based,” it should mean that we’ve taken a careful, scientific look at how and why it works. This isn’t just about claiming that dance is good for you; it’s about demonstrating that specific approaches to dance lead to specific, measurable potential outcomes.
Whether it’s for cancer recovery, Parkinson’s disease, mental health, or general wellbeing, evidence is what separates well-meaning ideas from dance interventions that could really make a difference to people’s lives.
Yet, it seems that the label “evidence-based” is sometimes used loosely, and that’s a problem for those who trust these interventions.
Here’s why that matters: imagine you’re a cancer patient. You’ve heard about an evidence-based dance program that claims to improve mood and physical health. The term evidence-based gives you hope that this is a scientifically based method.
But what if the intervention isn’t based on rigorous evidence? Or what if the dance intervention is not closely linked to the evidence itself. Now, instead of engaging with something that’s likely to help, you might be wasting time, energy, and even money on something that doesn’t have a solid scientific foundation.
That’s why it’s time for a shift. We need to start holding ourselves accountable to the same standards as other health professionals. When we say that dance helps people—whether it’s reducing anxiety, improving motor function, or supporting emotional well-being—we should be able to back that up with real, high-quality evidence. And when we develop new dance interventions, we should be doing so based on what the data tells us is likely to work.
This is where Doctor Dance is stepping in with something new.
Introducing the Doctor Dance Research Methods Course
We’re excited to announce the upcoming launch of the Doctor Dance Research Methods Course, where we’ll dive deep into the science behind developing evidence-based dance interventions. This course is designed for dance instructors, therapists, and health professionals who want to ensure their programs are grounded in solid research and proven methods.
So, what can you expect from the course? Here’s a sneak peek:
Understanding the Scientific Method
We’ll start by covering the basics of the scientific method—how to formulate a hypothesis, design a study, and analyse data. You’ll learn how this method applies to dance, and why it’s essential in creating credible, impactful interventions.
What Makes an Intervention Evidence-Based?
We’ll break down what it means to call an intervention “evidence-based.” This includes understanding different levels of evidence, from small pilot studies to large randomised controlled trials, and why these matter when you’re working with vulnerable populations like cancer patients or people with Parkinson’s.
Connecting Evidence to Practice
One of the most important sections of the course will teach you how to directly link existing evidence to the development of your dance-based interventions. We’ll show you how to interpret research findings and apply them in real-world settings, ensuring that your dance programs are built on a strong scientific foundation.
Developing New Interventions
Finally, we’ll guide you through the process of developing new, innovative dance interventions based on the best available evidence. Whether you’re working in mental health, rehabilitation, or community wellness, you’ll learn how to design programs that make a real, measurable difference in people’s lives.
At Doctor Dance, we believe in the potential for dance to change lives. But we also believe in doing the work to prove it. Our mission is not only to bring dance into more people’s lives but also to make sure that when we do, we’re using the best, most scientifically sound methods available.
If you’re passionate about dance, health, and wellbeing—and you want to make sure that what you’re offering is truly helping people—this course is for you.
Let’s ensure that the next time someone says “dance is good for you,” they can prove it.
Stay tuned for more details on the course launch!
In the meantime, keep dancing, stay curious, and remember—when it comes to making a real difference, evidence matters.
Dr Peter Lovatt
18th October 2024
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