Dance Interventions as Non-Pharmacological Strategiesfor the Treatment of Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment
Komanthi Kouloutbani, Fotini Venetsanou, Konstantinos Karteroliotis, Antonis Politis

Abstract
The percentage of people suffering from dementia has been rising constantly in recent decades. The fact that no effective treatments have been developed to date places particular value on prevention strategies and non-pharmacological interventions. With this in mind, the present study seeks to investigate the effects of dance on cognitive decline in older adults, and its use as a non-pharmacological strategy in efforts to combat dementia. A review of the relevant literature led to the consideration of peer-reviewed papers published between 2007 and 2020, selected on the basis of their research design, target population, intervention programmes, and assessment tools. The findings indicate that dance has a beneficial effect on cognitive function and mobility, reduces neuropsychiatric symptoms, and improves quality of life for individuals with dementia or mild cognitive impairment. In summary, there are clear indications that dance constitutes a highly promising alternative approach for the non-pharmacological treatment of dementia.

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