Dancing Out Of Depression

In the world of science, it is a source of endless amusement to see what in the world they will come up with next as a way to spend money on frivolous studies. So it is with the latest effort about to get underway in Britain. Scientists want to know if salsa dancing can help beat depression.

University lecturers are to investigate whether Salsa dancing can help beat depression.

Researchers at Derby will be testing to see if the Cuban step can boost mental health.

The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), a system used to record depression levels, will be used by participants before and after Salsa classes over a two-month period.

The findings will then be compared to see if the dance has a positive effect on people's moods.

Mental health lecturer Matt Birks, a keen Salsa dancer, said: "It's been documented that exercise can help mental health sufferers in their fight against depression.

"With the physical benefits of Salsa, together with the social interaction and the need for full concentration during a session, I believe Salsa dancing could have health benefits for depressed patients."

So they know exercise can help with depression. Salsa is exercise. So why study it? What do they plan to do with the knowledge? Figure out the dosage of dance classes? Prescribe two cha chas and call me in the morning? And then what about the tango? Why, there's no end to the money they can throw away. And not much point to the exercise.