Effects of pole dance on mental wellbeing and the sexual self-concept—a pilot randomized-controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Prior studies on beneficial effects of dance have primarily focused on traditional and expressionistic dance forms, neglecting newer dance styles like pole dance, which employ distinct techniques. The present pilot randomized controlled trial examined psychological and psychosexual effects of pole dancing. METHODS: Fifty women were randomized to an eight-weeks pole dancing program or waitlist. The primary outcome was global mental wellbeing. Secondary outcomes included several dimensions of the sexual self-concept, as well as body appreciation and global self-esteem. RESULTS: Compared to waitlist, the pole dance group showed an increase in mental wellbeing and improvements in sexual self-efficacy, sexual anxiety, sexual self-esteem, and body appreciation. CONCLUSIONS: Pole dancing may have broad psychological effects on both overall mental wellbeing and important domains of the sexual self-concept. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40359-023-01322-z.