Characteristics of mental skills interventions in dance: a mixed methods systematic review protocol

Area of Science:

• Dance science
• Psychology
• Intervention research

Background:

• Dancers face significant physical and mental health challenges.
• Mental skills training can mitigate risks and enhance protective factors for dancers.
• Current dance interventions lack consistency, hindering evidence-based recommendations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a mixed methods systematic review (MMSR) on mental skills interventions in dance.
• To identify and assess the characteristics (why, what, how) of these interventions.
• To utilize the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) for standardized reporting.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search across multiple databases (Psycinfo, Medline, Embase, Sportdiscus, Web of Science, Google Scholar).
• Independent screening and data extraction by two reviewers using Covidence.
• Quality appraisal with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) and data synthesis using a convergent integrated approach.

Main Results:

• The review will identify and analyze the characteristics of existing mental skills interventions in dance.
• It will assess the quality and consistency of these interventions.
• Findings will provide a basis for understanding, appraising, and reporting intervention details.

Conclusions:

• Standardized reporting of mental skills interventions is crucial for evidence-based practice in dance.
• This MMSR will offer guidance for researchers and practitioners to improve intervention design and application.
• The findings aim to enhance the physical and mental health support systems available to dancers.