Chinese ethnic dance therapy: cultural anthropology and health science perspectives on Tujia ethnic dances.
Frontiers in psychology January 1, 2025 Qi Mao, Wolfgang Mastnak, Ruiyuan Guan 2 citations
Analysis of Tujia dances from China suggests nine distinct therapeutic principles and benefits, including improvements to cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health, neuroplasticity, self-expression, and positive attitude changes. The term 'ethno-dance therapy' relates to dance traditions of ethnic groups in China, and narrative ethnological research has detailed dances of the 55 officially recognized ethnic groups such as the Uyghur, Miao, and Wa. Based on field studies and multidisciplinary knowledge, the authors hypothesize that Tujia dances may enhance culturally sensitive public health systems and improve dance therapy across medical areas like psychiatry, oncology, and neurology. Further research is needed on underlying mechanisms and cross-cultural transferability.