Dance as a driver of mental wellbeing: IKoon research

Arnhem, 3 April 2026

The intensive dance project IKoon, a collaboration between Pro Persona, Introdans and Radboudumc, is regarded as highly valuable by participants. Recent research by Pro Persona, in collaboration with Radboudumc, shows that participants experience clear improvements during and after the dance week in mood, self-confidence, autonomy and social connectedness.

From patient to dancer: a meaningful shift in perspective
In June 2025, Pro Persona and Introdans organised the IKoon dance week for clients of Pro Persona’s TOPGGz centres: Overwaal, the Expertise Centre for Anxiety, OCD & PTSD, and the Expertise Centre for Depression. Over four days, participants worked with choreographer Adriaan Luteijn and the Introdans interaction team, leading up to a performance on day five for family, friends and staff from Overwaal, the Expertise Centre for Depression, Radboudumc and Introdans. Adriaan Luteijn, choreographer and artistic initiator of interaction & inclusion at Introdans, developed the IKoon concept together with Lotte Hendriks and Gert-Jan Hendriks of Pro Persona.

During this week, participants were not seen as patients, but as dancers. Treatment was deliberately placed in the background. The intensive dance sessions left little room for doubt, creating space for enjoyment, challenge and personal growth.

Marieke van ’t Hoff, managing director of Introdans:
“Dance is more than movement; it is a universal language that connects people and creates space for personal growth. With IKoon, we have seen how dance not only moves participants physically, but also mentally and emotionally. The power of dance lies in letting go of labels such as ‘patient’ and embracing new identities, such as ‘dancer’. These results confirm what we have known for years: dance has the ability to empower, connect and inspire people. It is an honour to create this meaningful impact together with Pro Persona and Radboudumc.”

Research results: improved mood and increased self-confidence
During the dance week, participants completed short questionnaires several times about their mood, energy, self-confidence and basic needs such as autonomy, competence and connectedness. The results show a positive change at group level:

• Mood and self-confidence increased, peaking immediately after the performance
• Negative mood decreased over the course of the week
• Autonomy, competence and connectedness showed measurable growth for most participants
• The intensive physical and social experience challenged participants to step outside their comfort zone, contributing to growth and renewed self-confidence

Although there were differences between participants, almost everyone showed improvement immediately after the performance.

Lasting effects: impact still visible after five months
In interviews conducted five months later, participants reflected positively on the experience. They specifically mentioned:

• social connectedness within the group
• the safe environment
• improved posture
• increased self-confidence
• the feeling of “not being a patient for a while, but a dancer”

Stepping outside their comfort zone evoked a range of emotions, including tension, exhaustion, confidence and joy. It provided participants with valuable experiences that many carried into their daily lives.

An out-of-the-box approach with meaningful results
Lotte Hendriks, clinical psychologist at Pro Persona:
“The study highlights that a non-therapeutic, creative and physical approach such as the IKoon dance project can significantly contribute to the wellbeing of clients with mental health conditions. By approaching them outside the usual treatment context as dancers, space is created for growth, autonomy and connection. This can have a lasting impact on daily life.”