European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity 18, 16 (2025) | DOI: 10.5507/euj.2025.010

Dance programs for people with traumatic brain injury: A scoping review dance programs for people with traumatic brain injury: A scoping review

Danielle Pretty*1,2,, Michael Norwood2,, Tamara Ownsworth2,3,, Rachel Gregory4,, Elizabeth Kendall2
1 School of Allied Health, Sport and Social Work, Griffith University, Gold Coast, 4222, QLD, Australia
2 The Hopkins Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, 4111, QLD, Australia
3 School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Nathan, 4111, QLD, Australia
4 School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, 2351, NSW, Australia

Modified dance for people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an emerging adjunct neurorehabilitation technique. The aim of this review is to describe the characteristics of dance programs developed for people with TBI, and to examine how stakeholders perceive these programs. Eight databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses) were searched for studies on dance and TBI. Seven eligible articles were identified, involving a total of 22 dance participants with TBI and a further three people with TBI in a control group. The most common dance techniques used were dance movement therapy, improvisation, meditative movement, and mirroring. Modifications to programs included one-on-one delivery, individual tailoring with strategies to assist with cognitive or mobility barriers, and support from clinicians or assistants. Overall, the dance programs were feasible to deliver and acceptable to participants. Three studies revealed mixed evidence of efficacy in terms of motor fitness outcomes (e.g., balance and mobility), and there was insufficient evidence for efficacy in terms of cognition, neuroplasticity, and psychosocial outcomes. The review makes recommendations to enhance the safety and sustainability of dance for the neurorehabilitation population and to improve the standardized reporting of program design and execution to advance the field.

Keywords: Dance movement therapy; TBI; adaptive dance; neurorehabilitation

Received: August 7, 2024; Revised: April 29, 2025; Accepted: August 1, 2025; Published online: October 27, 2026  Show citation

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Pretty, D., Norwood, M., Ownsworth, T., Gregory, R., & Kendall, E. (2025). Dance programs for people with traumatic brain injury: A scoping review dance programs for people with traumatic brain injury: A scoping review. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 18, Article 16. https://doi.org/10.5507/euj.2025.010
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