We used the following PICOT (population, intervention, comparison, outcome,
and study type) elements to define eligibility criteria: (1) population: hypertensive
patients independent of the stage receiving or not receiving antihypertensive
treatment; (2) intervention: dance therapy, defined as rhythmic body movements
with therapeutic purposes usually performed with music; (3) comparison: control
group without dance therapy; (4) predefined outcomes: mean SBP and DBP in
mmHg, exercise capacity (any test) and standard deviation or standard error;
and (5) study type: RCTs. We excluded trials that enrolled individuals with other
cardiac or respiratory diseases and/or tested the dance therapy in association
with other intervention.