Virtual dance movement therapy for reducing anxiety, and artificial intelligence for monitoring the body and mind during therapy

Journal article

Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) is an established psychotherapeutic intervention that utilises movement to support emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being. While traditional DMT is practiced in physical settings, Extended Reality (XR) presents a new opportunity to expand accessibility by integrating immersive, interactive environments with structured therapeutic movement interventions. This study explores how XR-based DMT can serve as a preventative approach for anxiety by applying wearable biometric monitoring and AI-driven personalisation. Unlike recreational virtual dance activities such as Zumba or general movement-based fitness applications, XR-based DMT follows a structured therapeutic model, incorporating principles of mirroring, embodied cognition, and rhythmic synchronisation to enhance emotional regulation and engagement. The study employs real-time physiological feedback mechanisms, where biometric markers such as heart rate variability (HRV) and skin conductance inform dynamically adapted movement interventions. The findings suggest that XR-enhanced DMT provides a scalable, non-pharmacological intervention for individuals experiencing early-stage anxiety. This study contributes to the growing field of digital DMT by providing an evidence-based framework for integrating immersive technology into therapeutic movement practices, ensuring adherence to the core principles of dance movement therapy rather than generic dance-based interventions. Future research should address long-term efficacy, therapist-led versus AI-assisted interactions, and the potential for XR-DMT in community-based settings.

Authors: Radanliev, P

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• Journal: Research in Dance Education
• Publication date: 2025-04-02
• Acceptance date: 2025-03-26
• DOI: 10.1080/14647893.2025.2486256
• EISSN: 1470-1111
• ISSN: 1464-7893
• Language: English
• Keywords: extended reality (XR); virtual reality (VR); artificial intelligence (AI); dance movement therapy (DMT); mental health and anxiety; non-pharmacological interventions