Researchers at the University of Oxford and Oxford Health NHS Trust conducted a randomized controlled trial examining the mental health effects of salsa dancing among young adults. The study involved 121 participants aged 18 to 24 who had mild to moderate depression and anxiety. Participants were randomly assigned to either an eight-week salsa dance program or a control group, with mental health assessments completed at multiple points throughout the trial.
Results published in Psychological Medicine indicated that those participating in salsa instruction experienced clinically significant reductions in depressive symptoms and social anxiety compared to the control group. Participants in the dance program also reported larger increases in daily happiness. Lead researcher Brennan Delattre noted that the structured yet social nature of salsa—with its clear steps, patterns, partner rotations, and predictable class routine—may help participants engage socially in a more manageable framework than unstructured group settings.
Delattre cautioned that current evidence does not support salsa as a standalone clinical treatment for diagnosed depression. However, she suggested that general practitioners and social prescribing services might consider accessible social dance classes as optional wellbeing interventions or adjunctive treatments, particularly for young people who find them appealing. She emphasized that additional clinical trials with active comparison groups would be necessary before making stronger prescribing recommendations.
The findings align with broader research on social prescribing. Earlier studies documented that adolescents on mental health waiting lists who participated in activities such as karate, art classes, Pokémon tournaments, book clubs, and nature walking saw improvements in resilience, behavior, and relationships. Dr. Daniel Hayes, deputy director of the National Centre for Social Prescribing Data and Analysis at University College London, stated that mental health care extends beyond clinical settings and that accessible community activities can support mental health outcomes. Experts noted that the research reflects broader evidence that connecting individuals to enjoyable social activities strengthens mental health, though salsa may not be appropriate for all individuals.
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