NCT07262177: DanceMind

Dance-Mindfulness Intervention for Well-Being in Recreational Adults

Recruiting now NA Last updated 6 January 2026

What this trial tests

NA trial testing Dance-Mindfulness Intervention in Healthy Volunteers in 160 participants. Currently enrolling.

Timeline

2 September 2025

Primary endpoint
10 April 2026

31 May 2026

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	University of Thessaly
Phase	NA
Status	Recruiting now
Study type	INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation	randomized
Design	parallel
Masking	none
Primary purpose	prevention
Enrollment	160
Start date	2 September 2025
Primary completion	10 April 2026
Estimated completion	31 May 2026
Sites	1 location across Greece

Drugs / interventions tested

• Dance-Mindfulness Intervention

Conditions studied

• Healthy Volunteers — all drugs for Healthy Volunteers →
• Health Promotion — all drugs for Health Promotion →

Sponsor

University of Thessaly

Who can join

Adults 18 to 60, any sex, with Healthy Volunteers or Health Promotion. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

This 12-week study protocol outlines a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a Dance-Mindfulness intervention integrating Modern Theatre Dance with mindfulness-based embodied practices to enhance psychological wellbeing, nervous system regulation, and embodied awareness in adults. The intervention combines: (1) polyvagal-informed breath-movement synchronization (nasal breathing, grounding); (2) ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) Modern Theatre Dance technique progression and dance movements (Grades 2-4); (3) nervous system regulation through somatic practices; and (4) phenomenological reflection via weekly journaling and post-session integration.

Study Design: Parallel-assignment randomized controlled trial (approx. N=320; n=160 intervention, n=160 waitlist control). Randomization uses computer-generated block randomization (block sizes 4-6).

Outcomes: Perceived stress, mindfulness psychological wellbeing (happiness, life satisfaction), emotional regulation, social connection, movement confidence.

Qualitative Component: Phenomenological interviews and weekly reflective journals from subsample (approx. n=20) analyzed via Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Reflexive Thematic Analysis.

Intervention Delivery: 90-100 minute weekly sessions delivered over 12 weeks by qualified facilitator(s) trained in Modern Theatre Dance, mindfulness (≥3 years personal practice, MBSR, yoga or equivalent), trauma-informed care, and group facilitation. Sessions include 8 structured components: breath-grounding (9-10 min), technical dance work (14-15 min), conditioning (9-10 min), break-settling (4-5 min), rhythm improvisation (8-9 min), choreographed sequences (15-17 min), cool-down-integration (8-9 min), and phenomenological journaling (10-20 min).

Safety \& Fidelity: Structured facilitator guidelines, session checklists, weekly supervision, adverse event protocols, and external fidelity monitoring ensure protocol integrity. Classroom size: 15-18 participants per session.

Data Collection: Baseline (Week 0), mid-intervention (Week 6 only for qualitative), post-intervention (Week 12), and optional 1-3 month follow-up. Intent to treat analysis and mixed-effects modeling for between-group comparisons. Population: Adults (age 18+) seeking wellbeing enhancement through recreation or stress reduction. Eligible participants without acute mental health crisis. Primary Purpose: Health promotion and mental health improvement through nervous system regulation, embodied awareness, and psychosocial wellbeing enhancement.

Publications & conference data

1 peer-reviewed publication reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):

1. Mindful Embodied Movement: Study Protocol for a 12-Week Modern Dance-Mindfulness Intervention and Mixed-Methods Randomized Controlled Trial in Recreational Adult Dancers.
   Zafeiroudi A, Tsartsapakis I, Kouthouris C. · · 2026 · PMID 41874154 · DOI 10.3390/mps9020037