(November 12, 2012 - Insidermedicine)

From Sweden  - Dancing may improve health in girls with internalizing problems, according to a report published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. Researchers studied over 100 teenage girls with psychosomatic symptoms--including pain in the head, stomach or neck, back/shoulder and persistent feelings of tiredness, worry, or stress. Study participants were randomized into an intervention group--taking part in a dance program twice a week for eight months--or into a control group.

Results showed that girls who took part in the dance program had much better self-reported health than those who did not take part in the program. This positive effect remained up to 8 months after the intervention ended. 91% of the girls in the dance program said that the program was a positive experience.