Dance, Brain, and Cognition: Advancing Understanding Through Movement Science

Dance is a complex activity that is of significant interdisciplinary research interest due to its combination of motor, cognitive, neurophysiological, and psychological dimensions. Dance influences cognitive processes, including memory, spatial function, attention, and executive functioning. Neuroimaging studies have uncovered neural mechanisms underlying dance, identifying key neural markers and adaptive brain changes associated with dance training and regular participation. Despite growing evidence highlighting the cognitive and psychological benefits of dance, there remains a critical need for deeper interdisciplinary exploration to elucidate the mechanistic relationships linking dance to enhanced cognitive and psychological outcomes.
This Research Topic aims to comprehensively examine the cognitive and psychological processes associated with dance. Specifically, the topic aims to answer key questions including: How does dance impact cognitive functioning and mental well-being across different populations? What are the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying motor learning, memory consolidation, and emotional regulation through dance? Importantly, this Research Topic also endeavors to evaluate the therapeutic potential of dance as a tool for improving cognitive and emotional health and address hypotheses regarding dance-induced brain adaptations.
To gather further interdisciplinary insights across cognitive neuroscience, neurophysiology, psychology, and movement science as applied to dance, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Cognitive mechanisms underlying dance-related skills and performance, including memory, executive functions, and attentional processes.
• Investigations utilizing neuroimaging and biomarker analysis of brain activity and plasticity associated with dance and motor learning.
• Psychological outcomes related to dance participation, including mood regulation, stress reduction, and mental resilience.
• Analyses exploring interactions between music and rhythm, motor synchronization, and perception and cognition during dance.
• Effects of artistic and emotional expression on cognitive demand during dance.
• Dance-based therapeutic interventions targeting cognitive, psychological, and neurological health.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: dance, partnership dynamics, mental health, movement science

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.