None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The research aims to examine the relationship between mental health and martial arts, specifically considering the mental health and behavioural effects resulting from participation in a 10-week martial arts based therapeutic intervention, delivered to participants (age range 11 to 14 years) in high schools using a randomised controlled trial research methodology. As previous research of this topic is limited and ambiguous, the study is expected to demonstrate to what extent martial arts are an efficacious alternative therapy that reduces mental illness, such as mood and behavioural issues; and promotes characteristics associated with mental health and wellbeing, such as self-efficacy and resilience.
Interventions
Brief name: A randomised controlled trial of a secondary school-based mental health promotion program based on martial arts training.
Material: Martial arts belts (white and yellow), training equipment (strike paddles, strike shields).
Procedures:
(a) Each intervention session includes:
- Psycho-education – guided group based discussion. Topics include respect; self-image (concept) and self-esteem; goal-setting; courage; anger; resilience; bullying/peer pressure; self-care and caring for others
Brief name: A randomised controlled trial of a secondary school-based mental health promotion program based on martial arts training. Material: Martial arts belts (white and yellow), training equipment (strike paddles, strike shields). Procedures: (a) Each intervention session includes: - Psycho-education – guided group based discussion. Topics include respect; self-image (concept) and self-esteem; goal-setting; courage; anger; resilience; bullying/peer pressure; self-care and caring for others; values, optimism & hope; - Warm up (e.g. jogging, star jumps, push ups, sit ups); - Stretching (e.g hamstring stretch, triceps stretch, figure four stretch, butterfly stretch, lunging hip flexor stretch, knee to chest stretch, standing quad stretch); and - Technical practice – stances, blocks, punching, kicking. (b) Intervention sessions intermittently include (alternated throughout the program): - Patterns practice, - Sparring – based on "sticking hands" (tai chi exercise), and - Meditation – breath focusing exercise. Note – aggressive physical contact is not part of the intervention program. Who: Intervention delivered by (1) registered psychologist with minimum 6 years’ experience, (2) 2nd Dan/level black-belt taekwondo instructor with minimum 5 years’ experience. Mode of delivery: Group format, face to face. Number of times/dose: 10 x 50-60 minute sessions; once/week for 10 weeks. Location: High school. Group size: 15-20 participants.
Sponsors
Macquarie University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
11 Years to 14 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Secondary school students Grades 7 & 8
Exclusion criteria
Concurrent martial arts training participation
Outcome results
None listed