Increasing Physical, Emotional, and Social Wellbeing in Adolescents Following a Multi-Week Indian Classical Dance Program: Results From a Single-Arm Pilot Study

Background The physical, emotional, and social wellbeing of U.S. high school-aged adolescents is a growing public health concern. Objective To describe the development and initial effects of an 8-week Bharatanatyam (Indian Classical Dance) intervention on wellbeing indicators in Midwestern high school students. Methods Using a single arm design, freshmen at a Midwestern high school completed an ethics-approved 8-week Bharatanatyam program teaching movements rooted in social cognitive theory and cultural foundations. At baseline, four, and 8 weeks, participants completed PROMIS Pediatric Profile-25 (Physical Function Mobility, Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms, Fatigue, Peer Relations, Pain Interference, and Pain Intensity), Body Appreciation Scale, Anti-Bias Behavior Scale (PSABBS), State Mindfulness Scale, and an 8-item acceptability questionnaire. Analyses included descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, Cohen’s d effect sizes, Pearson’s correlations, and linear regressions. Results Forty-six students provided assent and parental consent and completed the intervention. Most were female (62%) and Caucasian (80%). Feasibility and retention indicators were high (83-89%). Fifty-nine percent reported independent exercise 2-5 times weekly. Controlling for exercise frequency, significant decreases ( P < 0.05) were observed between baseline and 8 weeks in PROMIS Anxiety (d = .80), Depressive Symptoms (d = .51), Fatigue (d = .61), and Pain Intensity (d = .77), with significant increases in Peer Relations (d = .80) and Body Appreciation (d = .97). Positive associations were found between anti-bias attitudes and lower anxiety (r = .485, P < .05), depressive symptoms (r = .510, P < .01), fatigue (r = .395, P < .05), and pain intensity (r = .567, P < .05). Anti-bias attitudes had significant associations with pain intensity, depression, and anxiety, and mindfulness was significantly associated with ( P < .05) body appreciation. Conclusion This study provides initial evidence that an 8-week Bharatanatyam program improved emotional health and physical symptoms (ie, fatigue and pain) among adolescents, with mindfulness and anti-bias attitudes associated with overall wellbeing. Further testing with more rigorous study designs is warranted.