Neurocognition of dance: Guidelines for using dance as model behavior and research subject in cognitive neuroscience.

Dance and movement science bridges cognitive psychology, neuroscience, cultural studies, philosophical aesthetics, and the performing arts. The field has evolved significantly, examining physical, social, psychological, and neural aspects of dance and movement execution and perception, contributing to a deeper understanding of human cognition and of dance itself. As the field expands, shared guidelines that support methodological rigor, reproducibility, and cultural relevance are of paramount importance. This paper synthesizes current research and introduces a comprehensive seven-principle research design framework for using dance in cognitive neuroscience. Key elements include the operationalization of "dance" in empirical sciences, the definition of who is a dancer, measures of expertise, and the importance of a culturally sensitive, holistic, and interdisciplinary approach to its investigation in the laboratory and in ecologically valid settings. This framework benefits research in dance and movement aesthetics, as well as investigations in social cognition, affective neuroscience, computer science, and artificial intelligence.