Mental Skills Training in Dance: Evidence, Gaps, and Future Directions

Introduction

Dance research has traditionally emphasized physical technique, but the mental side of performance is just as critical. Confidence, focus, resilience, and emotional regulation can make the difference between a flawless performance and one overshadowed by anxiety.

Our systematic review, which has just been published in BMJ Open (https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/11/e104552), synthesizes the available evidence on Mental Skills Training (MST) in dance, using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) framework to map intervention characteristics. This review not only highlights promising outcomes but also exposes critical gaps in reporting and design, offering valuable guidance for researchers, educators, and practitioners seeking to strengthen the psychological foundations of dance.

Understanding Mental Skills Training

MST is a structured process that equips performers with psychological tools to manage stress, sharpen focus, and sustain motivation. It distinguishes between:

• Mental techniques: Practical tools such as imagery, goal-setting, relaxation, and self-talk.

• Mental skills: Deliberate actions to self-regulate one’s emotions, thoughts and behaviours

• Mental qualities: personal characteristics such as resilience, optimism, and psychological flexibility.

  
  

In dance, MST can help performers cope with performance anxiety, recover from injury, and maintain motivation across demanding careers.

How the Review Was Conducted

The systematic review followed a mixed methods approach and included to 21 eligible studies. We included pre-professional, professional, recreational dancers and teachers across ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, and other genres and looked outcomes such as changes in mental qualities (confidence, self-awareness), mental health (well-being, anxiety, depression), and use of mental techniques (imagery, self-talk).

Results: What mattered most and what gaps could we identify?

Interventions were more effective when they:

• Tailored content to dancers’ individual needs.

• Involved dancers in setting goals and defining outcomes.

• Adapted delivery style to the dancer’s context and values.

  
  

And, on average, researchers reported 9 out of 12 TIDieR items.

• Most reported: Procedure, rationale, timing, and delivery method.

• Least reported: Fidelity-related items such as modifications, tailoring, and adherence.

  
  

This means that while intervention content was often described, details about how well programs were delivered, whether they were adapted, and how fidelity was assessed were frequently missing. Without this information, replication and evaluation become difficult.

Most interventions used imagery as a core technique, often delivered in group settings by lead investigators. Few involved dance teachers or health professionals in delivery, and only a handful targeted broader mental qualities like self-esteem or well-being.

Discussion: What Do These Findings Mean?

The review highlights several key insights:

1. Effectiveness is multifaceted. Success depends not just on outcomes but on the interplay between dancer needs, delivery style, and context.

2. Participatory approaches are underused. None of the studies consulted dancers or deliverers during intervention design, yet evidence from other fields shows that involving target users strengthens relevance and effectiveness.

3. Technique-heavy focus limits scope. Most studies emphasized mental techniques (imagery, self-talk) but neglected broader qualities like identity, resilience, and psychological well-being.

4. Therapeutic models show promise. Integrating approaches like acceptance and commitment therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy could enhance MST’s impact in dance, but these remain underexplored.

5. Fidelity reporting is essential. Without clear documentation of modifications, tailoring, and adherence, it’s impossible to know whether interventions were delivered as intended or why they succeeded/failed.

   
   

Recommendations for the Future

We suggest several ways forward:

• Conduct process evaluations alongside outcome studies to better understand why interventions succeed or fail.

• Involve dancers and deliverers directly in intervention design to ensure programs reflect real needs and values.

• Clarify MST concepts by distinguishing between techniques, skills, and qualities.

• Use standardized tools like TIDieR to improve reporting, reduce knowledge gaps, and strengthen translation from research to practice.

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These recommendations are not only relevant to dance but may also apply to other performance domains such as sport, healthcare, and the military.

Strengths and Limitations

• Strengths: This review is the first to synthesize both quantitative and qualitative evidence on MST in dance, offering a comprehensive overview and practical guidance for future research.

• Limitations:

  • Excluded MST interventions focused on motor skills or therapeutic approaches.

  • Moderate to high risk of bias across included studies.

  • Underrepresentation of non-Western dance genres, which deserve more attention in future research.

    
    

Conclusion

This systematic review shows that MST can enhance dancers’ confidence, emotional regulation, and mental health. However, effectiveness varies, and reporting gaps limit progress. By embracing frameworks like TIDieR, adopting participatory approaches, and broadening the scope beyond techniques to qualities and well-being, the dance community can unlock the full potential of mental skills training.

Calls to Action

• 🎓 For educators: Embed MST modules into dance curricula to support both artistry and resilience.

• 🧠 For dancers: Experiment with imagery, goal-setting, and self-talk to strengthen mental performance.

• 📊 For researchers: Use TIDieR to improve transparency and fidelity reporting in future studies.

• 🤝 For practitioners: Collaborate with dancers to co-design interventions that reflect their needs and values.

  
  

Key Takeaway: MST is a powerful but underutilized tool in dance. With clearer reporting, participatory design, and broader theoretical foundations, it can help dancers not only perform better but also thrive mentally and emotionally.

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Written by Michelle Dwarika