Evidence - base for effect of dance therapy on functioning in children with Neuro-motor disorders- A review based on ICF framework

Dance as movement therapy is known to improve balance, cardiorespiratory endurance, body composition, mood, and quality of life among healthy adults. Literature informing the effect of dance therapy on functional-outcome based on the International Classification of Function (ICF) model is lacking for children with neuro-motor impairment. Thus, the current study aimed to review the effect of various traditional dance forms on functioning based on the ICF model in children with neuro-motor disorders. The findings will inform and guide therapists and clinicians on effective utilization of dance therapy as an adjunct therapeutic tool. A comprehensive electronic search was conducted between 2012 and 2022 through PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and Cochrane. A total of 17 articles were included: 3 review articles, 2 randomized control trials, 9 quasi-experimental studies, and 3 case reports. Articles reporting effects of dance in recreational settings, in age groups other than children and adolescents, in disabilities due to conditions other than neuro-motor origin, or children with severe intellectual disability were excluded. High-quality evidence demonstrated positive effects of dance therapy on body function domain in children with neuro-motor impairments. Review presented limited and low-to-moderate quality literature reporting effect of dance therapy on functions related to activity domain; whereas there is low quality inconclusive evidence on effect of dance therapy on participation of children with neuro-motor impairment. Thus, the review concludes that dance therapy is an effective adjunct tool to improve body function domain of children with neuro-motor disorders.