Dance on the Brain: Enhancing Intra- and Inter-Brain Synchrony.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Anthropology
• Sociology
• Psychology
• Dance Pedagogy

Background:

• Traditional views of dance are Eurocentric, focusing on self-expression and audience reception.
• Dance involves complex neurobehavioral processes across sensory, motor, cognitive, social, emotional, rhythmic, and creative domains.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose The Synchronicity Hypothesis of Dance, positing dance enhances intra- and inter-brain synchrony.
• To outline a neurocentric definition of dance.
• To explore the hypothesis through evolutionary, developmental, and neuroimaging evidence.

Main Methods:

• Synthesizing findings from multiple scientific disciplines.
• Examining evolutionary theories and fundamental movement patterns.
• Analyzing neuroimaging literature on dance and brain activity.

Main Results:

• Dance engagement is linked to intrinsic reward and enhanced interpersonal coordination.
• Dance increases neural synchrony, supporting The Synchronicity Hypothesis.
• Dance may help repattern oscillatory activity, potentially benefiting neurological disorders.

Conclusions:

• Dance is a neurobehavioral process enhancing brain synchrony and interpersonal coordination.
• The Synchronicity Hypothesis offers a new framework for understanding dance's benefits.
• Dance may have therapeutic applications for disorders characterized by oscillatory impairments, such as autism spectrum disorder.