SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article
Front. Physiol.
Sec. Exercise Physiology
Dance Versus Other Exercise Modalities in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Comparative Efficacy from a Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-analysis
Provisionally accepted
- 1China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- 2Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR China
- 3Yale University, New Haven, United States
- 4Handan Central Hospital, Handan, China
- 5The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China
- 6The Institute of Sports Medicine of China, Beijing, China
- 7Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang, China
- 8Universite de Lyon, Lyon, France
- 9Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China
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Background: Dance is a non-pharmacological option for people with cognitive impairment, yet its comparative advantage over other exercise modalities is still uncertain. This study compared and ranked dance versus other exercise in this population. Methods: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted using five databases. Primary outcomes were cognitive function, psychological well-being, and physical performance. Standardized mean differences and p-values were calculated using pairwise and network meta-analysis within a random-effects model. PROSPERO (CRD42024549996). Results: The systematic review included 209 randomized controlled trials (13,773 participants). Pairwise meta-analyses identified several statistically significant effects for dance interventions. In the network meta-analysis, dance showed no statistically significant advantages over other modalities for any outcome. Nevertheless, for global cognition, dance ranked highest on MoCA by the Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking Curve. For This is a provisional file, not the final typeset article working memory and attention outcomes, dance ranked first or second. For physical performance and mood, it generally ranked second or mid-range. For executive function, speed/attention control, and mobility, dance ranked lower. Several favorable Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking Curve results were driven by single dance studies, warranting caution in interpretation. Conclusion: Exercise yields broad benefits for individuals with cognitive impairment. Although dance was not superior across all outcomes, it ranked favorably on selected measures and performed competitively, sometimes on sparse evidence. Given its integrative combination of movement, rhythm, cognitive engagement, and social interaction, dance remains a promising, underutilized option for cognitive rehabilitation, warranting wider implementation and more robust head-to-head trials.
Keywords: Aging, dance, Dementia, Exercise, Mild Cognitive Impairment, Network meta-analysis
Received: 07 Jan 2026; Accepted: 09 Feb 2026.
Copyright: © 2026 Zhao, TAO, Zhao, Shao, Lv, Sun, Li, Zhao, Cole and Gao. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Bian Zhao
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