Latin Dance and Psychological Health in Primary School Children

NCT07755995 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: NXSFDX2026005
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to examine the effects of a 12-week Latin dance intervention on loneliness, anxiety, depression, perceived stress, physical activity enjoyment, and well-being among primary school children in Gansu, China. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either a Latin dance intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will participate in two supervised Latin dance sessions per week, including Rumba, Cha-cha, and Jive, while the control group will participate in regular physical education activities. The outcomes will be assessed before and after the 12-week intervention using validated questionnaires. The findings may provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of school-based Latin dance as a strategy for promoting children's psychological health and well-being.

Conditions

Loneliness; Anxiety; Depression; Stress; Well-Being; Enjoyment

Keywords

Latin Dance; Primary School Children; School-Based Intervention; Physical Activity; Physical Activity Enjoyment; Psychological Health; Mental Health; Well-Being; Rumba; Cha-Cha; Jive

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Change in Loneliness

  Loneliness will be assessed using the Chinese version of the Children's Loneliness Scale. The change in loneliness score from baseline to immediately after the 12-week intervention will be evaluated. Higher scores indicate greater loneliness.

  Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention

• Change in Anxiety Symptoms

  Anxiety symptoms will be assessed using the anxiety subscale of the Chinese Simplified version of the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale-25 Youth (RCADS-25 Youth). Higher scores indicate more severe anxiety symptoms.

  Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention

• Change in Depressive Symptoms

  Depressive symptoms will be assessed using the depression subscale of the Chinese Simplified version of the RCADS-25 Youth. Higher scores indicate more severe depressive symptoms.

  Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention

• Change in Perceived Stress

  Perceived stress will be assessed using the Chinese version of the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Higher scores indicate greater perceived stress.

  Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Physical Activity Enjoyment

  Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention

• Change in Psychological Well-Being

  Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention

Study Arms (2)

Latin Dance Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive a 12-week Latin dance intervention, with two supervised sessions per week. The program will include Rumba during Weeks 1-4, Cha-cha during Weeks 5-8, and Jive during Weeks 9-12. Each session will consist of a warm-up, main dance training, and cool-down.

Behavioral: Latin Dance Program

Regular Physical Education Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group will participate in regular physical education activities twice per week for 12 weeks. The activities will include walking, jogging, coordination exercises, agility training, relay games, and basic ball skills. This group will not receive Latin dance training.

Behavioral: Regular Physical Education Program

Interventions

Latin Dance Program BEHAVIORAL

A 12-week supervised Latin dance program delivered twice per week. The program includes Rumba during Weeks 1-4, Cha-cha during Weeks 5-8, and Jive during Weeks 9-12. Each session consists of a warm-up, main dance training, and cool-down.

Latin Dance Intervention Group

Regular Physical Education Program BEHAVIORAL

A 12-week regular physical education program delivered twice per week, including walking, jogging, coordination exercises, agility training, relay games, and basic ball skills. The program does not include Latin dance training.

Regular Physical Education Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 6 Years - 12 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Primary school children aged 6-12 years.
• Currently enrolled in a participating primary school in Gansu, China.
• Able to participate safely in school-based physical activities and Latin dance sessions.
• Able to understand and complete the study questionnaires.
• Willing to participate in the 12-week intervention and study assessments.
• Written informed consent provided by a parent or legal guardian.
• Assent provided by the child.

You may not qualify if:

• A medical condition, physical disability, or musculoskeletal injury that would make participation in physical activity or Latin dance unsafe.
• A health condition for which a physician or school health professional advises against participation in moderate-intensity physical activity.
• Current participation in regular Latin dance training or another structured dance intervention.
• Participation in another psychological or physical activity intervention that may affect the study outcomes.
• Inability to participate regularly in the intervention sessions or complete the study assessments.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Xu Shuishui: lead

Study Sites (1)

Wuquan Primary School, Chengguan District, Lanzhou

Gansu, Lanzhou, 730000, China

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders; Depression; Motor Activity; Psychological Well-Being

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Personal Satisfaction

Central Study Contacts

Shuishui Xu, PhD Student

CONTACT

60-1140662841; shuishuixu094@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD Student

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the Latin dance intervention group or the control group. The intervention group will participate in a 12-week Latin dance program, while the control group will participate in regular physical education activities. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and immediately after the intervention.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 28, 2026
• First Posted: August 10, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2026
• Last Updated: August 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)