Contemporary dance enhances physical fitness and psychological wellbeing

This research was conducted by Mary Kate Connolly, Edel Quin and Emma Redding at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance

Summary

This study assessed the physiological and psychological impact of contemporary dance classes on 55 girls aged 14 from secondary schools in the UK as part of the Dance 4 …

By | 11 December 2014 |

Participating in cultural activities is associated with higher levels of life satisfaction

This research was conducted by Jennifer L. Brown, Ronald MacDonald and Richard Mitchell at the University of Glasgow, UK

Summary

This study asked whether people who participate in cultural leisure activities have higher life satisfaction than people who do not. It used data from Understanding Society, a national survey completed by …

By | 12 September 2014 |

Cultural activity can improve the health of older people

This research was conducted by Gene D. Cohen and five others at George Washington University and other institutions, USA

Summary

This paper reports the results of a study into the effects of a cultural programme on the physical and mental health of the elderly. The research is based on a study …

By | 7 May 2014 |

The arts may improve health, wellbeing and vitality

This research was conducted by Lars Olov Bygren and seven others at the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden and elsewhere

Summary

The paper reports the results of an experiment in which 101 people were randomly assigned to either engage in an arts experience or do nothing artistic at all. The types of …

By | 14 April 2014 |

Theatre training can improve cognitive function and psychological wellbeing of older people

This research was conducted by Helga Noice, Tony Noice and Graham Staines at Elmhurst College, Indiana State University and National Development and Research Institutes, USA

Summary

This paper reports an experiment to investigate the benefits of an acting programme on the cognitive functioning and quality of life for elderly people in …

By | 10 April 2014 |

Singing can sustain psychological wellbeing

This research was conducted by Stephen Clift and Grenville Hancox at Canterbury Christ Church University, UK

Summary

This paper reports the results of a study of 1124 choral singers from Australia, Germany and England. The choirs varied greatly in character, make-up and repertoire. The study asked about people’s singing experiences and …

By | 11 March 2014 |

Group singing helps people cope with adverse life events

This research was conducted by Genevieve von Lob, Paul Camic and Stephen Clift at Canterbury Christ Church University, UK

Summary

The paper reports a series of interviews conducted with 16 people who had experienced an adverse life event (or multiple events) and were also members of a choir. These people used …

By | 11 March 2014 |

Arts engagement has a positive effect on quality of life

This research was conducted by Alex C. Michalos and P. Maurine Kahlke at the University of Northern British Columbia, Canada

Summary

This paper reports the findings of a large-scale survey that was designed specifically to measure the impact of arts engagement on the quality of life of the population of British …

By | 11 March 2014 |

Cultural engagement can bring you psychological wellbeing

This research was conducted by Enzo Grossi, Giorgio Tavano Blessi,  Pier Luigi Sacco, Massimo Buscema at the Bracco Medical Department, IULM University, Free University, Bozen and the Semeion Research Centre, Italy

Summary

The data for this study came from a survey of a representative sample of 1,500 Italian adults that measured …

By | 5 December 2013 |