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Call for papers - Dance and movement therapies

Guest Editors

Orfhlaith Ni Bhriain, PhD, MA, BEd, University of Limerick, Ireland
Joanne L. Powell, PhD, MA, BSc, Edge Hill University, UK
Maya Vulcan, PhD, University of Haifa, Israel

Submission Status: Open   |   Submission Deadline: 21 May 2025

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies is calling for submissions to our Collection on Dance and movement therapies.

This Collection welcomes studies exploring the diverse applications of dance and movement therapies in clinical and non-clinical settings. We encourage submissions from researchers exploring the physiological, psychological, and social impacts of these therapies, as well as their efficacy in managing various health conditions.

New Content ItemThis Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being.

Meet the Guest Editors

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Orfhlaith Ni Bhriain, PhD, MA, BEd, University of Limerick, Ireland

Dr Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain is an ethnochoreologist and Course Director of the MA  Ethnochoreology and MA Dance Studies, at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, Ireland. Her research interests include, Ethnochoreology, Irish Music and Dance studies, Music and Dance Education, Community Based Participatory Research and Arts in Health.  She is an active member of the UL ENGAGE Knowledge for Change hub at UL certified by UNESCO.  Her current research is interdisciplinary and includes collaborations with clinicians and community participants. Alongside her team she has developed dance interventions for older adults and people with Parkinson's.

Joanne L. Powell, PhD, MA, BSc, Edge Hill University, UK

Dr Joanne Powell is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Edge Hill University whose research in translational neuroscience spans several areas of health and disease, in children and adults. Her research within the field of creative arts therapies has centered on the development and implementation of creative arts-based therapeutic interventions to improve cognitive functioning, mental health and well-being in healthy and clinical populations. Dr Powell’s research methods expertise center on structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging, which she has applied to several clinical groups including patients with glaucoma, hypothalamic obesity, complex shoulder instability, and autism.

Maya Vulcan, PhD, University of Haifa, Israel

Dr Maya Vulcan is a certified Dance Movement Therapist (DMT), supervisor, and psychotherapist with over 20 years of clinical experience. She lectures at the University of Haifa and Kibbutzim College in Tel Aviv, where she previously led the DMT training program (2017–2023). She works with diverse populations, including children, teenagers, adults, infants, and parents, specializing in treating psychosomatic disorders, emotional difficulties, and developmental challenges. Her research spans a wide range of DMT topics, including interventions with couples, trauma work, Dyadic DMT, Autism, DMT education and training, DMT for the elderly, DMT diagnostic profiles, DMT open studio, and the professional identity of DMT practitioners. 

About the Collection

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies is calling for submissions to our Collection on Dance and movement therapies.

Dance has been a vital part of human history. Ranging from its role in spiritual practice, and community building to academic endeavor, dance remains a timeless form of art that has gained attention in the medical field. Dance movement therapy, more commonly known as dance therapy or DMT, is a type of psychotherapy that uses movement to improve health and well-being.

This Collection welcomes studies exploring the diverse applications of dance and movement therapies in clinical and non-clinical settings. We encourage submissions from researchers exploring the physiological, psychological, and social impacts of these therapies, as well as their efficacy in managing various health conditions. Potential topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • The use of dance and movement therapies for physical rehabilitation, chronic pain management, and improvement of motor skills and coordination in individuals with neurological disorders
  • The role of dance and movement therapies in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health conditions, as well as their impact on emotional expression and social interaction
  • The use of dance and movement therapies in children and young people as well as their means to prevent and manage mental health conditions in patient and vulnerable groups
  • The impact of dance and movement therapies on the physical and cognitive well-being of older adults
  • Integrative approaches that combine dance and movement therapies with other complementary and conventional treatments to optimize patient outcomes
  • Biological, neurological, and psychological mechanisms through which dance and movement therapies exert their effects
  • The role of dance and movement therapies in community-based settings, cultural practices, and their potential in fostering social cohesion and cultural identity, particularly in diverse or marginalized populations
  • The use and integration of technologies in dance and movement therapies to address accessibility barriers


The field of dance and movement therapies has deep historical roots, with practices seen in ancient healing rituals and cultural traditions worldwide. Today, this field is recognized for its holistic approach, addressing the interconnectedness of body and mind. As research continues to uncover the benefits of dance and movement therapies, their integration into mainstream healthcare settings offers promising avenues for enhancing patient care and well-being.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being.

Image credit: © Shutterstock / Leszek Glasner

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Dance and movement therapies" from the dropdown menu.

Articles will undergo the journal’s standard peer-review process and are subject to all of the journal’s standard policies. Articles will be added to the Collection as they are published.

The Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.