Research at TRI
MOVEMENT STUDIES
Attention
Deficit
Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., &
Thimas, E., (2000). Attention deficit Hyperactivity disorder benefits from Tai
Chi. Journal of Bodywork and Movement
Therapies, 5, 120-123.
• Thirteen
adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) participated
in Tai Chi classes twice a week for 5 weeks. After 10 Tai Chi sessions the
adolescents displayed less anxiety, improved conduct, less daydreaming
behaviors, less inappropriate emotions, and less hyperactivity.
Autism
Hartshorn, K., Olds, L., Field, T.,
Delage, J., Cullen, C. & Escalona, A. (2001). Creative movement therapy
benefits children with autism. Early
Child Development and Care, 166, 1-5.
•
Thirty-eight children with autism were given movement therapy in small groups
led by a trained movement therapist. After two months of biweekly sessions, the
movement therapy versus the control children spent less time wandering, more
time showing on-task behavior, less time showing negative responses to being
touched, and less time resisting the teacher.
Senior
Citizens
Hartshorn, K., Delage, J,
Field, T. & Olds, L. (2001). Senior citizens benefit
from movement therapy. Journal of
Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 5, 1-5.
•
Sixteen senior citizens participated in four, 50-min movement therapy sessions
over a 2-week period and were compared to 16 senior citizens who belonged to a
wait list control group who received the movement sessions only after the end
of the study. The movement therapy participants improved in their functional
motion on the Tinetti scale, and specifically on the gait scale, their leg
strength increased, and their leg pain significantly decreased.