Tele-Dance Interventions for Health Outcomes: A Scoping Review.

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Rehabilitation Science
• Movement Science

Background:

• Telehealth expansion accelerated technology-mediated movement interventions.
• Tele-dance interventions (TDI) offer accessible and scalable models for physical and psychological health.
• Limited synthesis exists on TDI feasibility, acceptability, and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map the existing literature on tele-dance interventions (TDI).
• To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and health-related outcomes of TDI.
• To identify populations benefiting from TDI.

Main Methods:

• Scoping review guided by Arksey and O'Malley's framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
• Systematic search of 6 databases yielding 26 eligible studies (quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods).
• Methodological quality appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool; interventions delivered synchronously via videoconferencing.

Main Results:

• TDI demonstrated consistent feasibility and acceptance in older adults, individuals with neurological conditions, and those with chronic illness.
• Commonly reported psychosocial benefits include enhanced social connection, improved mood, and reduced loneliness.
• Observed physical outcomes include improvements in balance, gait, and strength, suggesting functional benefits for rehabilitation and health promotion.

Conclusions:

• TDI offer advantages in accessibility, flexible delivery, and scalability.
• Limitations include methodological heterogeneity, small sample sizes, underrepresentation of diverse groups, and limited long-term follow-up.
• TDI are a promising telehealth modality, requiring future research on rigor, inclusivity, hybrid models, and implementation.