Frankfurt  - Tango dancing could help patch up troubled relationships, according to the German Society for Sports Medicine and Prevention (DGSP).

It cited a study done at Frankfurt University in which levels of the stress hormone cortisol and the sex hormone testosterone were measured in the saliva of 22 couples both before and after doing the sensual dance. The couples were also given questionnaires and asked to describe their feelings.

The study found that tango dancing lowered levels of cortisol and raised those of testosterone. It pointed to three factors being responsible for the psychobiological effects -- the music, movement with one's partner and physical contact -- which it tested separately and in various combinations.

Cortisol decreased mainly due to the music, according to the study, while movement and contact increased testosterone. The positive hormonal and emotional reactions were strongest when all three factors coincided.

The DGSP noted that results of the study validated recent efforts by couples' therapists to save troubled relationships by tango dancing. (dpa)