NEUROTANGO® RESEARCH

Scientific Basis of Neurotango®

The scientific basis of Neurotango® is formed by several research areas. Each section explains why the respective field is relevant to the method.

The detailed studies and complete references are available in the Scientific Reference List via the Research Summary at the end of this page.

01 ARGENTINE TANGO

Scientific Research on the Effects of Tango Therapy

The studies show that Argentine Tango has better therapeutic qualities and health-improving elements in comparison with other types of dance and other movement therapies.

Relevant elements include contra body movements, the widest variety of movement dynamics, musical composition, breathing techniques, non-verbal improvised couple communication and variations of different rhythms such as vals, milonga and tango. The positive effects of Argentine Tango have already been scientifically proven.

Neurotango® with the NTT (Neuro Technical Tools) is a further development with extensions and an additional focus on neurological and psychotherapeutic target groups. Specific embodiment effects have shown life-changing results.

Neurotango neuromotor tools and scientific foundations

02 EMOTION, COGNITION AND LEARNING

Studies about the Influence and Significance of Emotions on Cognition and Learning

In Neurotango, effective learning of new motor, cognitive and behavioural patterns is of particular importance. Learning is always a combination of a new ability linked with emotions. The emotional factors are the music, the dance partner, the interaction in a group and the trainer.

Of course, the room atmosphere as well as all sense perceptions, play an important role in creating emotional connections for new learning patterns.

03 MOVEMENT AND NEW LEARNING PATTERNS

Neurocognitive and Neuromotor Learning Through Movement

Besides emotions, movement is an essential factor for the brain to create new learning patterns. These new patterns can be new movement patterns, cognitive knowledge, or behavioural patterns. Changes can be observed on the neurological as well as cognitive and psychological levels.

Movements are an important factor in the creation of new learning patterns. The further new learning patterns link with experiences through all the senses, the more new brain connections are created. This makes learning faster, and the new patterns remain retrievable for longer as brain information.

04 MEDITATIVE MOVEMENT AND ATTENTION

Positive Effects of Meditative / Mindful Movement Therapy

Neurotango® fulfils all criteria of meditative movement therapy. Especially due to the multitasking of the participants – concentration on coordination, balance, steps, couple communication, music, counting, spatial orientation and movement – they are directly in a meditative state.

The brain works immediately in the sense perception network. This specific brain network meets all requirements of mindful meditation, as described in the studies. It is not possible for the participants to think about everyday worries or problems during the training. While the brain is busy with sense perception tasks, it cannot activate negative thoughts or fear at the same time. This is part of the default mode network, and both networks cannot be activated at the same time.

This causes a feeling of physical lightness and mental relief directly after a Neurotango® training session.

For many people, movement meditation is the only way to achieve a meditative state. Mental relaxation while sitting or lying down and quieting the mind is not attainable for all. Especially in quiet situations, the mind starts thinking about unreal scenarios and brings up problems of everyday life instead of gaining a broader view, creating new ideas and experiencing productivity. This is what makes Neurotango® different.

Participants very often develop completely new life concepts or find new solutions to their problems without needing to be in a quiet state. It simply happens during the Neurotango® Tools with music.

05 EMBODIMENT

Embodiment and Behavioral Regulation

Embodiment describes the body as a transmitter of psychological patterns to the outside as behaviour, as well as the influence of externally changed body movements on internal patterns.

The reason why we can realise changes on psychological, biochemical, physical, neurological and social levels through body movements is the embodiment effect. This works in both directions: external experiences influence psyche, health and physical condition, while internal psychological states are expressed through posture, movement, communication, behaviour, reactions and physical symptoms.

This is the holistic approach of Neurotango®. We have been able to observe the effect and impact in countless cases and manifestations. External triggers of focused and changed body movements undoubtedly produce psychological, biochemical and social effects.

The expression of a new movement is different for every person, even when the exercises are the same. The Tools bring out authentic inner needs, talents, wishes, problems and characters. Through their own bodily experience, participants gain direct information about how their body reacts in particular situations and can initiate changes in their behaviour and social interaction.

Body language does not lie and gives an authentic picture of the current physical and psychological situation. It also provides participants with reliable information about their personal purpose in life and how far their current behaviour and situation are from it.

06 NEUROPLASTICITY

Neuroplasticity – Brain Expansion Through Movement Therapy

Neuroplasticity describes the expansion of the brain through movement therapy and the stimulation of human interaction.

In this case, the correlations between neuroplasticity and the expansion of synaptic connections form the most difficult area of scientific evidence. The inclusion of musical effects, movement effects and embodiment effects in Neurotango® makes it difficult to verify the different impacts on neuroplasticity separately.

Each individual area cannot be examined selectively. Therefore, studies are available that have investigated the benefits and connection of neural enhancement with each area. All three areas – music, movement and communication – as well as rhythm, have positive effects on the neural network.

07 SENSORY-PERCEPTUAL PROCESSING

Active Regeneration Through Sensory-Perceptual Processing

Another factor that may help explain the positive effects observed in Neurotango® is active regeneration through the targeted activation of a sensory-perceptual mode. This neurofunctional state is associated with a temporary reduction of cognitive load and may support regenerative processes at the level of the central nervous system.

In practical application, participants showed an average improvement of approximately three points on a ten-point self-assessment scale following a Neurotango® session. Separate ratings were collected for physical and psychological well-being.

The scientific literature in the Scientific Reference List provides neurobiological evidence for the underlying mechanisms and documents corresponding processes at functional and metabolic levels of brain activity.

NEUROTANGO® RESEARCH SUMMARY

Detailed Studies and Scientific References

The complete Scientific Reference List contains the detailed studies behind all research areas presented on this page.

View the Research Summary