The impact of online dance therapy on the body image of Chinese university students

Objectives This study aims to explore the impact of online dance therapy on improving body image among Chinese university students through empirical research. Methods The study involved 22 university students from two universities located in western China, who were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group participated in an online dance therapy program conducted via Tencent Meeting over a two-week period (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday) from January 22 to February 4, 2024. Pre- and post-tests were conducted to measure self-perception of body image, and independent sample t-tests were used for analysis. Results The experimental group and the control group were verified to be homogeneous in terms of body image prior to the intervention. However, post-intervention analysis revealed a significant improvement in body image among the experimental group compared to the control group. These findings provide empirical evidence supporting the efficacy of the dance therapy program in enhancing the body image of Chinese university students. Conclusions This study underscores the effectiveness of online dance therapy as a tool for improving body image among university students, highlighting its direct contribution to fostering body positivity. Furthermore, the results suggest that online dance therapy can serve as a viable intervention for promoting body positivity and self-acceptance in virtual settings, thereby offering significant implications for the integration of such programs into psychological health support frameworks for university students.