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Background: Living with dementia is an increasing reality for many older adults and their caregivers. Dance movement therapy (DMT) and dance interventions are receiving attention as non-verbal, embodied approaches to engage people with dementia and reduce symptoms. Studies show a wide range of outcomes, interventions and assessments making an overview difficult.

Objective: To map health and well-being outcomes of DMT/dance interventions for older adults with dementia to existing frameworks to guide practice, research, and policy.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, PsycInfo, PubPsych, and LIVIVO to identify studies (2000–2021) examining DMT/dance interventions for adults aged 65+ living with dementia. Data on participants, study design, intervention characteristics, outcomes, measures, findings, and effects were charted and organized using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and the Dunphy Outcomes Framework (DOF). A critical appraisal was undertaken.

Results: The twenty-six included studies (N=26), reflect diverse outcomes. Within the DOF, the physical domain was examined most often, followed by emotional and cognitive domains, then integration, cultural, and social domains. Using the ICF, outcomes appeared across Body Functions and Structures, Activity and Participation, Environmental Factors, and Quality of Life. Most studies reported positive effects; four found no effect, and one reported a negative effect. While research activity has increased in number and quality, large scale studies are still few.

Conclusion: As multimodal interventions, DMT and dance interventions address multiple dementia-related needs. The two frameworks provide orientation for practitioners and a foundation for further interdisciplinary research and policy development.