Neuropsychological and Electrophysiological Effects of Dance Therapy With People With Severe Mental Disorders
Phase: NA
Conditions: Severe Mental Disorder
Sponsor: Asociación Canaria de Terapias Creativas (ASCATEC)

 
 
 
ASCATEC 
15-12-2023 
 
STUDY PROTOCOL 
NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL AND 
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL 
EFFECTS OF DANCE THERAPY 
WITH SEVERELY MENTALLY 
DISORDERED PEOPLE 
NCT ID not yet assigned 

 
 
RESEARCH PROJECT PROTOCOL 
 
TITLE OF THE STUDY 
NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL 
AND 
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL 
EFFECTS 
OF 
DANCE 
THERAPY WITH PEOPLE WITH SEVERE MENTAL 
DISORDER 
STUDY CODE 
TFM_03_DANCE 
PROMOTION GIRL 
Nayra Caballero Estebaranz 
CHIEF INVESTIGATOR 
Nayra Caballero Estebaranz 
CENTER 
Canarian Association of Creative Therapies (ASCATEC) 
 
INTRODUCTION 
Although the severity of symptoms varies from one subject to another (Joyce & Roiser, 
2007), 75% of people with schizophrenia present cognitive dysfunctions (Heinrichs 
et.al, 2013), even before the first expression of symptoms (Brewer et al., 2005; 
Sheffield et al., 2018), being a basic characteristic (Green et al., 2019) in all phases of 
the disease (Rajji et. Al, 2014). These deficits in brain areas involved in attention, 
memory, social cognition, executive functions, and metacognition have a great impact 
on the daily functionality of affected people, often preventing them from enjoying a 
satisfying and full life. 
 
Due to the limitation observed with pharmacological treatments to improve cognitive 
deficits in people with Severe Mental Disorder (SMD) (Ciceri , Ocampo & Franco, 
2008) , it is essential to offer alternative treatments to work in this area. Although most 
of the research in relation to cognitive training is frequently linked to schizophrenia, 
in recent years it has been developed for other disorders, showing its great benefit in 
improving cognitive processes (Keshavan et al., 2014). Taking advantage of brain 
neuroplasticity to influence the cognitive capacity of affected people, many 
interventions have been developed. In the present study, we will focus on dance 

 
 
therapy as a vehicle for the modulation of the neural system, achieving improvement 
in cognitive areas such as executive functions. 
 
The concept of Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) is a psychotherapeutic technique 
that allows the person to engage in a creative and relational process (Association for 
Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK (ADMP UK), 2023) providing emotional, social, 
cognitive and physical integration (American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA), 
2020) and personal growth (Panhofer & Rodríguez, 2005) seeking an improvement in 
their health and well-being. DMT is considered an intervention with the potential to 
prevent and treat physical and cognitive decline (Verghese, 2003). In terms of 
cognition, a study with a quasi-experimental design of matched controls that proposed 
a 60-minute group aerobic dance class, 3 times a week for 3 months, showed that DMT 
can be a technique that allows significant improvements in processing speed, memory 
and executive function, in people with schizophrenia (Chen et al., 2016). However, 
research related to DMT lacks data on the neurophysiological mechanisms that are 
possibly affected by the application of these types of interventions. The use of the 
electroencephalogram (EEG) allows us to obtain additional measurements on possible 
changes in brain connectivity that can contribute to a detailed quantification of the 
therapeutic effects of DMT (Ventouras et al., 2015). 
These therapeutic approaches differ from cognitive, behavioral and other usual 
therapies based mainly on interaction, as well as communication and verbal 
expression. As has been previously reported, DMT suggests cognitive benefits (Tan et 
al., 2016), symptomatological (Lee et al., 2015), as well as functional remission 
(Gökcen et al., 2020) and quality of life (Kaltsatou, 2015) for people with SMD. 
However, there are major limitations in the previous literature regarding the study of 
this program. Therefore, further analysis is needed to determine the benefit of DMT 
on cognition (memory and executive functions) in people with SMD. For these 
reasons, it becomes critical to conduct research with a consistent theoretical framework 
and experimental design; that demonstrates the effectiveness of DMT. For all of the 
above reasons, this study proposes to analyze the effects of dance therapy on the 
cognition of people with SMD, using psychometric and neurophysiological 
techniques. These findings would allow us to modulate the interventions currently 

 
 
offered, towards more effective protocols, improving the quality of life of people with 
SMD and thus report significant impacts on their interpersonal relationships and 
functionality.

 
 
 
HYPOTHESIS AND OBJECTIVES 
1. 
Hypothesis 
According to the evidence from the literature, it is proposed that participation in a 
therapeutic dance therapy program will have a significant positive effect on the scores 
of neurocognitive tests and on the electroencephalographic activity patterns of patients 
diagnosed with severe mental disorder (SMD). Specifically, it is expected that after 
the intervention, participants will show significant improvements in memory and 
executive functions compared to the control group without intervention. 
 
From a more theoretical perspective, our null and alternative hypotheses are: 
● 
Null Hypothesis (H0): there is no significant difference between the 
neurocognitive test scores and the electroencephalographic activity patterns of people 
with SMD who participate in a dance therapy therapeutic program and those who do 
not. 
● 
Alternative Hypothesis (H1): Participation in a therapeutic dance therapy 
program will have a significant positive effect on neurocognitive test scores and 
electroencephalographic activity patterns of people diagnosed with SMD. 
 
Specifically, it is expected that after the intervention: 
● 
H1a: People participating in the dance therapy program show significant 
improvements in memory test scores compared to the control group. 
● 
H1b: People participating in the dance therapy program show significant 
improvements in executive functions compared to the control group. 
 
Our hypothesis is based on a solid theoretical foundation, which suggests that dance 
therapy could promote neuroplasticity and improve cognition through body 
movement. To this end, we will conduct this carefully controlled study, collecting pre 
and post intervention data in both groups and using appropriate statistical analyses. 
 

 
 
To test this hypothesis, a controlled study will be carried out with an experimental 
group participating in the dance therapy program and a control group that will not. 
Neuropsychological test scores and electroencephalography data will be compared 
before and after the intervention to assess any significant changes in cognitive function 
and brain activity. 
 
A valuable contribution of this research is the possibility of improving the quality of 
life of people with SMD through novel interventions such as dance therapy. 
Furthermore, it is worth highlighting the relevance of this study for the scientific and 
clinical community, where health personnel in hospitals, detention centers and shelters 
for patients with SMD are completely overwhelmed in a society where the number of 
people with mental disorders continues to increase.  
 
In this study, we will also ensure that we address ethical issues such as informed 
consent of participants and consideration of their well-being throughout the study. Our 
priority is that research in the field of mental health and therapy is conducted in an 
ethical, rigorous and respectful manner. 
 
2. 
Main objective 
• To evaluate the impact of a therapeutic dance therapy program on cognitive 
functions, specifically on memory and executive functions, in patients 
diagnosed with severe mental disorder by measuring scores on neurocognitive 
tests such as the BACS and MOCA (subsequently defined in the section on 
data collection) and by analysing electroencephalographic activity. 
 
3. 
Secondary objectives 
1) To compare the scores obtained from the neurocognitive test battery between the 
experimental group and the control group. 
2) To 
compare 
the 
changes 
in 
brain 
activity 
patterns 
recorded 
by 
electroencephalography between the experimental group and the control group. 
3) To analyze the changes generated in both groups in order to be able to identify the 

 
 
possible correlations between the improvement in cognitive functions and the 
alterations in brain activity. 
4) To evaluate the effects of a 20-session dance therapy program on the 
symptomatology of people with SMD using the PANSS (later presented in the 
section on data collection). 
 

 
 
STUDY METHODOLOGY 
1. 
Design 
A single-centre prospective randomised controlled trial will be conducted with a 
minimum of 47 patients with severe mental disorder (SMD) who will be randomly 
assigned into two groups, 1 intervention group receiving dance therapy (n=26) and 1 
control group who will not receive any intervention or added treatment apart from 
continuing with their usual treatment (pharmacological), but will not receive 
intervention with dance therapy (n=21). 
In summary, the groups are: 
• Experimental group (n=26): people with SMD receiving dance therapy. 
• Control group (n=21): people with SMD who do not receive the dance therapy 
intervention but do receive their usual pharmacological treatment. 
 
Tests will be administered before the start of the study and at the end of the study, as 
well as 3 months after the end of the study in order to compare the results between 
groups. 
2. Study population. 
a. Population characteristics 
Patients who will participate in the dance therapy program will be referred to the 
Canarian Association of Creative Therapies (ASCATEC) through the Mental Health 
Units of the Canary Islands according to a referral program of the Government of the 
Canary Islands. They will be selected according to the criteria listed below without 
distinction of age, sex, gender or type of diagnosis, as long as they meet the main 
diagnosis of SMD. 
     The assignment will be made randomly, as they will be referred by the Government 
of the Canary Islands (see point 6.4.1.2. Coordination between devices in the mental 
health network of the Mental Health Plan in the Canary Islands 2019-2023, p.179-
180).1   
b. Inclusion criteria 
 
1 https://www3.gobiernodecanarias.org/sanidad/scs/content/d7a0d910-4973-11e9-910b-
f705e6f363c5/PSMC_completo.pdf  

 
 
The inclusion criteria are the following: 
● 
People diagnosed with a SMD according to the DSM-V. 
● 
Have the capacity to decide and consent. 
● 
Be in the age range between 18 and 65 years old. 
● 
Do not present active consumption of toxic substances (except nicotine). 
● 
Commitment to attendance during the entire study period from December 
2023 to December 2024. 
 
c. 
Exclusion criteria 
The exclusion criteria are the following: 
● 
Not having given their free consent to participate in the study 
● 
Present a serious comorbid mental disorder, associated intellectual 
disability, history of severe brain damage or neurological disorder that may function 
as a confounding factor (Associated organic type disorder, borderline or lower 
intellectual IQ) 
● 
Active substance abuse (except nicotine) 
● 
Have a cochlear implant, fixed hearing aids or head plates. 
● 
Having suffered a concussion to the head with loss of consciousness that 
subsequently triggered symptoms related to the pathology.  
● 
Suffering from epileptic seizures. 
● 
Not having the desire to participate in dance therapy sessions for any reason 
or to undergo EEG-type tests. 
● 
Be currently involved and participating in another cognitive rehabilitation 
program.           
      
d. Criteria provided for the withdrawal of subjects from the study 
These criteria are: 
● 
Explicit request from the person to stop participating in the study. 
● 
Change of place of residence, outside the autonomous community in which 
the study will be carried out. 
● 
Death of the person. 
● 
Worsening of pathological symptoms or hospital admission during the 

 
 
study. 
● 
Medical findings, such as epilepsy, during the EEG. 
 
e. Sample size calculation. 
The present study aims to determine the number of participants needed to determine 
the effect of a dance therapy program administered to patients with severe mental 
disorders. Preliminary studies cited in the literature have determined that dance therapy 
has the potential to influence aspects such as emotional state, memory or executive 
functions, being observable through neuropsychological and EEG tests. The working 
hypothesis is that dance therapy will produce a statistical effect, involving cognitive 
improvement, observable in subsequent assessments of neuropsychological test scores 
and electroencephalographic activity patterns in those diagnosed with severe mental 
disorder. Therefore, in this study we tried to determine two independent sample means. 
The calculation of statistical power was performed by means of two independent 
("unilateral") means, based on the variance of a control group and the reference group 
with a minimum of 13 study subjects, in accordance with systematic reviews of 
previous scientific studies such as Jiménez et al. (2019). The probability of the degree 
of statistical significance was based on values of p<0.05 with the statistical tests 
applied, with a 95% confidence interval. 
The sample was calculated using GRANMO software (Marrugat et al., 1998). In this 
line, in order to estimate the probability that the observed phenomenon is true and not 
due to chance with the calculated sample size, the alpha risk was determined. 
Specifically, an α=0.05 was chosen, which assumes a 95% confidence level. To control 
for the potential of the analysis, a power of 80% was selected, with a beta of 0.2. To 
define the ratio between two groups (control and experimental), the ratio between 
group 1 and group 2 was indicated, the ratio being a value of 1, as these are two groups 
with equal sample sizes. In addition, as we are calculating on the basis of means, the 
standard deviation has been included. Since we do not have a pilot project with 
previous data before and after the dance therapy program proposed in the current 
project, the following process was used to find the standard deviation: 
1. Review of previous literature on mental health and dance therapy; 2. Screening of 
dance therapy manuscripts with patients presenting with a pathology encompassed 

 
 
within severe mental disorder (see Ren & Xia, 2013); 3. Selection of the manuscript 
by Röhricht & Priebe (2006) to estimate the standard deviation of the sample needed 
for the dance therapy intervention group. Specifically, this manuscript details a 
controlled trial with body-oriented psychological therapy similar to that performed in 
dance therapy with a group of patients framed within severe mental disorder. For 
standard deviation we took the means before and after dance therapy. Specifically, we 
have selected the values of the measures obtained in the negative symptoms of the 
PANSS scale, since they are one of the mental health values mainly suggested for 
statistical significance post-intervention with dance therapy in severe mental disorder. 
In this case, since in our study we also consider a follow-up of the success of the 
intervention after the implementation of the program, we have selected the mean of 
the negative symptoms of the PANSS before the intervention with dance therapy 
(23.4), the mean of these symptoms after finishing a program similar to the dance 
therapy program proposed in this project, also of 20 sessions for 10 weeks (18.9) and, 
as in our proposal, the mean of a follow-up after -after several months- the intervention 
program with dance therapy (18.2). Considering these means as a data set, they were 
entered into the Calcuvio software (www.calcuvio.com) which runs as a statistical 
calculator returning mean, sample and population standard deviation values. 
Specifically, the standard deviation of the set of numbers was found according to the 
study segment using the following equation: 
 
 
A sample standard deviation of 2.822 was obtained for the intervention group; 4. 
Selection of the manuscript by Chao & Xiaolin (2022) to estimate the sample standard 
deviation needed for the control group without dance therapy. Specifically, this 
manuscript details an evaluation of the application of the effect of dance therapy in the 
rehabilitation process of patients whose pathology is framed within severe mental 
disorder. For the standard deviation, the means of the sample of participants in the 
control group of the study were taken before and after the parallel development of the 

 
 
intervention program with dance therapy with the experimental group. In particular, to 
find the standard deviation of our control group sample with severe mental disorder, 
the mean values of the negative symptoms of the PANSS scale were chosen again (as 
they show significant statistical differences in scores between the control group and 
the experimental group in the manuscript of Chao & Xiaolin, 2022). In this case, the 
control group presented a mean of 14.98 on negative symptoms before the parallel start 
of the dance therapy intervention program, and a mean of 11.32 after the conclusion 
of the dance therapy intervention stage in the experimental group. Considering these 
means, we proceeded to calculate the sample standard deviation with the same 
procedure and software previously used to find the standard deviation of the 
intervention group in the previous point. Here we obtained a value for the sample 
standard deviation of our control group of 2.588. 
In addition to the above, as the starting hypothesis is that the dance therapy program 
will improve emotional management and increase cognitive performance, it can be 
assumed that the minimum response to the program will be double (2). 
After performing the mathematical calculation, accepting an alpha risk of 0.05 and a 
beta risk of 0.2 in a unilateral contrast, 28 participants in the intervention group are 
required to detect a difference equal to or greater than 2,822 units, as well as 28 
participants in the control group to detect a difference equal to or greater than 2,588 
units. 
In addition, an expected rate or proportion of loss to follow-up of 10% (10/100=0.1) 
due to experimental errors, drop-out, etc., has been estimated in the intervention group, 
with participants engaged in the dance therapy intervention. On the other hand, a loss-
to-follow-up rate or proportion of 25% (25/100=0.25) has been estimated in the control 
group with participants not engaged in the dance therapy intervention. This expected 
increase in losses in the control group is based on the hypothesis that the patient who 
does not receive the intervention may not be as involved in the experiment or, 
eventually, debut with pathological manifestations associated with their medical 
condition leading to absenteeism or indisposition during the data collection stage. 
Therefore, considering the respective loss to follow-up rates in both the experimental 
group and the control group, the final (n) for each group would be as follows: 
experimental group with an N=28, after expected loss to follow-up of 10% out of 28 

 
 
equals 2.8 participants, would be left with a final (n) of 26 participants; control group 
with an N=28, after expected loss to follow-up of 25% out of 28 equals 7, would be 
left with a final (n) of 21 participants. 
In conclusion, for this project we need 47 participants (21 participants for the control 
group and 26 participants for the experimental group receiving intervention with 
dance therapy). It is also worth mentioning that each participant will sign a pre-test 
consent to participate in data acquisition and, if applicable, intervention in the dance 
therapy program as part of the research project. These consents will inform them of 
the aims of the study, risks if applicable, and answer any questions or queries they 
may have. 
 

 
 
 
PROCEDURE or DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY 
1. 
Workplan 
All the tests (BASC, MoCA, PANSS and EEG) will be carried out with the 47 patients 
with SMD to find out their baseline status. The people with SMD will be randomly 
assigned to an experimental group (dance therapy program) or a control group (without 
intervention in dance therapy but with regular pharmacological treatment). The study 
will last approximately 1 year between the administration of tests, the program and the 
analysis of results. The dance therapy program will last 20 sessions over 10 weeks. 
The sessions will take place at the headquarters of the Asociación Canaria de Terapias 
Creativas (ASCATEC) in the Siglo XXI space in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. 
The 26 people with SMD in the experimental group will participate in a 10-week 
intervention program with 2 sessions per week in which they will work for 1 hour on 
memory, attention and executive functions through dance and movement, ending with 
10 minutes of Mindfulness. 
The 21 people in the control group will not receive any type of dance therapy 
intervention, but will continue with their usual pharmacological treatment. 
The effects will be measured after a treatment of 20 sessions (twice a week). Results 
will be obtained by analyzing EEG parameters (EEG amplitude and frequency) and 
cognitive functions (BACS and MoCA). On the other hand, at the end of the 20-session 
program, tests will also be administered to assess the symptomatology of the severe 
mental disorder suffered by the person (PANSS) to assess the effects of the program 
on these variables. 
2. 
Study variables (primary and secondary) 
 
All the data that the neuropsychological tests allow us will be collected in the 
intervention and control group. For the data analysis of the tests that will be 
administered, a series of parameters related to the objective of our study will be 
analyzed. In relation to the main variables, the following will be evaluated: cognitive 
functions, especially memory and executive functions. 
 

 
 
An analysis of personal and sociodemographic data (age, diagnosis, medication and 
duration of the disease) will also be carried out. 
In relation to the electroencephalogram (EEG), the following variables will be 
considered: 
1) Dominant frequency: It can be analyzed whether the dominant frequency of the 
brain waves recorded in the EEG, such as alpha frequency (8-13 Hz) and beta 
frequency (12-25 Hz), show significant changes before and after the dance therapy. 
2) Wave amplitude: the amplitude of the waves in the different regions can be observed 
to identify if delta, theta, alpha and beta vary with dance therapy. 
In relation to the secondary variables, the PANSS tool will be administered to evaluate 
the impact of the program on the positive, negative and general symptoms presented 
by the participants, related to the disorder they suffer from. 
Collecting data on these variables before and after the dance therapy intervention will 
allow us to assess in more detail whether the therapy has a positive impact on brain 
activity, cognitive functions, as well as symptoms related to the disorder. 
 
3. 
Data Collection 
The tests will be administered after randomization and before starting the intervention 
to measure the basal state of each participant and after the completion of the dance 
therapy program in order to determine the changes generated with the dance therapy 
program. The tests will also be repeated after 3 months as a follow-up of the results 
obtained. 
All registrations will be done anonymously, assigning each person an identification 
number. All data will be kept for 5 years. 
 
-  
Brief assessment of cognition in schizophrenia (BACS) (Keefe et al., 
2004): serves to quantify cognitive impairment in schizophrenia and/or psychosis. The 
BACS includes assessments of verbal memory, working memory (Digit Stream), 
motor speed (Token Motor), verbal fluency, attention and processing speed (Symbol 

 
 
Coding), and executive function (Tower of London). The minimum and maximum 
scores on the BACS for each subtest are: 
1. Token Motor Task (TMT): The minimum score is 0, and the maximum is 100. 
2. List Learning: The minimum score is 0, and the maximum is 50. 
3. Digital Sequencing Task: The minimum score is 0, and the maximum is 21. 
4. Semantic Fluency: The minimum score is 0, and the maximum is 40. 
5. Symbol Coding: The minimum score is 0, and the maximum is 50. 
6. Tower of London: The minimum score is 0, and the maximum is 21. 
7. Verbal Memory: The minimum score is 0, and the maximum is 20. 
These scores are used to evaluate performance on each of the BACS subtests. 
Subsequently, it is common to calculate a composite score that summarizes the 
individual's overall cognitive performance. For the interpretation of results, see the 
attached technical sheet. In our case, all patients in the intervention group will be 
patients with a diagnosis of psychosis without comorbidities. 
 
-  
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) (Ramírez et al., 2014): it is a 
30-question test that evaluates mild cognitive dysfunctions by assessing executive 
function and visuospatial ability, identification, short-term memory, delayed recovery, 
attention, language, abstraction, animal naming and orientation. The ratings range 
from 0 to 30 and the cut-off value to determine a normal score is >26 points. The test 
is administered in about 10-12 minutes. 
 
-  
The electroencephalogram (EEG): brain wave signals will be recorded by 
the 14-channel Emotiv EPOC®, whose electrodes (saline sensors) are arranged at 
positions AF3, F7, F3, FC5, T7, P7, O1, O2, P8, T8, FC6, F4, F8 and AF4, according 
to the international 10-20 system. The device also has 2 reference points at positions 
P3 and P4. 
It should be noted that EEG data collection will be carried out in the patients' resting 
state. The process will be detailed as follows: First, a baseline will be carried out with 
the EMOTIV software of 1 minute eyes open with a fixation point of some eyes on the 
computer screen, followed by a gap for the participant to close their eyes. and, 

 
 
continued by 1 minute of data collection in resting state where the participant keeps 
his eyes closed. 
In addition, patients will always be given the following instructions: not to speak, not 
to move, try to leave the mind relaxed, as well as the same room with the same lighting 
and tranquility conditions will be used. To finish, the following task will be carried 
out: a 4-minute EEG collection will be carried out in resting state with eyes open and 
cross fixation point on white background, followed by 4 minutes of resting state with 
eyes closed. 
In our case, the EEG tests will be carried out at the ASCATEC headquarters and will 
be carried out by Laura Ezama 2. 
 
-  
 Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) (Kay et al., 1987): 
allows monitoring the progress of symptoms in severe mental disorders through 30 
items that are grouped into three main dimensions: positive symptoms, negative 
symptoms and general symptoms. Each item is scored from 0 (absence of symptoms) 
to 7 (extreme severity) points. For the Positive Scale and the Negative Scale, the results 
can range from 7 to 49 and for the General Psychopathology section from 16 to 112, 
with the lowest total score being 30 and the highest being 210. For data interpretation, 
refer to the attached technical sheet. 
 
ETHICAL AND CONFIDENTIALITY ASPECTS 
The study will be conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of 
Helsinki adopted by the 18th World Medical Assembly, Helsinki, Finland in 1964 and 
amended in Tokyo (1975), Venice (1983), Hong Kong (1989), South Africa (1996) , 
Edinburgh (2000), Washington (2002), Tokyo (2004), Seoul (2008), Brazil (2013); 
and the Laws and Regulations in force in Europe and Spain. On the other hand, with 
the objective of regulating, with full respect for human dignity and identity and the 
rights inherent to the person, biomedical research and, in particular, research related 
 
2PhD in Health Sciences, Neuroscience. University of La Laguna, Spain. Master’s Degree in Cognitive 
Neuroscience and Specific Needs for Educational Support. University of La Laguna, Spain. 

 
 
to human health that involves invasive procedures, the study is will be in accordance 
with Law 14/2007, of July 3, on Biomedical Research. 
The patient must provide consent before being admitted to the clinical study. The 
doctor must explain the nature, purposes and possible consequences of the study, in a 
way that is understandable to the patient. The information provided by the doctor must 
also be recorded. 
 
For the acquisition of electroencephalography (EEG) data, informed consent will also 
be provided with meticulousness and rigor, both in the intervention group and in the 
control group, in order to guarantee the ethics and legality of the study, as well as to 
respect the rights and integrity of the participants. To this end, prior to inclusion in the 
EEG study, each participant will be given an informed consent document that 
exhaustively details the following aspects: 
 
Purpose of the EEG: a clear and precise explanation will be provided about what an 
electroencephalogram is and its usefulness in research, in this case, to understand the 
influence of dance therapy on cognitive functions. 
 
Voluntariness: it is highlighted that participation in the study is completely voluntary 
and that the EEG data will be collected confidentially (code instead of name in the 
generated database). 
 
Right to interrupt: participants will be made aware that, at any time during the EEG, 
they have the right to interrupt the test if they wish. 
 
EEG Procedure: A detailed description of the test procedure will be given, including 
how the electrodes will be applied to the scalp, hygiene and safety regulations and 
standards, and the estimated duration of the test. 
 

 
 
Prior recommendations: Recommendations will be provided before undergoing the 
EEG, such as informing about the use of cochlear implants, ensuring that you have 
rested adequately the night before, and disclosing taking medications, especially 
anticonvulsants, that may affect brain activity. 
 
Crucial Test Day Communications: Collect any relevant information on the day of the 
test, such as changes in health, taking additional medications, or any other 
circumstances that may influence the quality of the data collected. 
 
In order to guarantee the confidentiality of the data of the patients participating in the 
study, only the researcher and his team of collaborators, the representative of the 
promoter who will carry out the monitoring tasks, the auditor in case the study was 
subject to an audit, the CEIm and the Health Authorities. 
 
Rigorous application of EEG informed consent ensures that participants are properly 
informed and that their participation in research is carried out ethically, respecting their 
rights and well-being. 
The study participant will give his or her consent by signing the corresponding model, 
which must also bear the signature of the researcher. 
A copy of the informed consent model is attached. 
The researcher will not initiate any investigation corresponding to the study until the 
patient's consent has been obtained. 
 
The treatment, communication and transfer of personal data of all participating 
subjects will comply with the provisions of Organic Law 3/2018, of December 5, on 
the Protection of Personal Data and guarantee of digital rights, and the application of 
Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 27, 
2016 on Data Protection (RGPD). 
 

 
 
ANALYSIS STATISTICAL 
A descriptive analysis of the data will be carried out. The qualitative variables will be 
presented with their absolute frequency and percentage. Gaussian quantitative 
variables will be presented with their mean and standard deviation (SD) and non-
Gaussian variables as median [minimum-maximum]. For the comparison of two 
qualitative variables, the McNemar and Chi-square tests will be used; For the 
comparison of quantitative variables, and due to the small sample size, the non-
parametric Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon and Friedman tests will be 
used. Subsequently, a regression analysis will be carried out using Mixed Models 
(since although the sample size is very small, mixed models allow the data to be 
analyzed, correcting this problem with multiple measurements per individual). The 
accepted α risk for all hypothesis tests will be 0.05. The data will be analyzed with the 
SPSS 15.0 statistical package and the free R software. 
For the analysis of EEG data, a Power will be used. Spectrum Analysis (PSA) with the 
EEGLAB toolbox or similar. This technique will allow us to evaluate the energy 
distribution in different frequency bands of brain signals. EEG signals are decomposed 
into their frequency components using mathematical transforms, such as the Fourier 
transform, and the power in each specific frequency band is calculated.  
      PSA focuses on the decomposition of EEG signals into different frequencies. This 
will allow us to understand the distribution of energy in the frequency domain. Some 
of the main variables that can be analyzed are: 
      
● Frecuencias: aquí se analizarán diferentes bandas de frecuencia, donde por las 
características del EMOTIV se pueden incluir algunas como: 
● Theta (4-8 Hz) 
● Alfa (8-13 Hz) 
● Low Beta (12-16 Hz) 
● High Beta (16-25 Hz) 
● Gamma (25-45 Hz) 
 

 
 
Each of these bands is related to specific mental states and cognitive functions. For 
example, the delta band (0.5-4 Hz) is associated with deep sleep, while the alpha band 
(8-13 Hz) is associated with states of relaxation or non-stressful alertness. 
 
PSA will allow quantification of electrical activity in these bands, which provides 
crucial information for understanding brain activity. 
 
• Amplitudes: we will be able to quantify the amplitude of the waves in each 
frequency band. This involves measuring the magnitude of EEG signals in each 
specific frequency range. 
In general, these variables provide critical information about the brain's 
electrical activity. This will allow us to assess associated neurological disorders 
and the study of the patient's cognition       
 
Therefore, this technique will allow us to identify abnormal patterns of brain activity, 
evaluate brain responses during resting-state EEG data acquisition, and examine the 
relationship between activity in different frequency bands and specific cognitive 
functions. and will allow us to deepen our understanding of brain electrical activity 
and its correlation with cognitive processes and mental states. 
 
INSURANCE 
To carry out the research project, the ASCATEC center as well as the promoter have 
an insurance policy 036352408/00000 with the company ALLIANZ SEGUROS Y 
REASEGUROS, SA through the contract 140622278, which complies with current 
legislation (Royal Decree 1090/2015) and will provide participants with compensation 
and compensation in the event of impairment of their health or injuries that may occur 
in relation to their participation in the study. , as long as they are not a consequence of 
the disease being studied or of the evolution of the disease as a consequence of the 
ineffectiveness of the treatment . 
 

 
 
EXPENSES AND ECONOMIC COMPENSATION 
Due to the characteristics of the study, it is not proposed that the researcher receives 
financial compensation for carrying out the study. 
 
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