Effectiveness of dance movement therapy on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder children aged between 6-12 years

Headnote

Abstract

Introduction: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common behaviour disorders of childhood. Mental health and school practitioners are increasingly faced with the challenge of assessing children and adolescents who might have ADHD. The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of dance movement therapy (DMT) among ADHD children. Methods: Data collection was done using demographic proforma; SNAP IV rating scale and an opinionnaire. Results: Analysis revealed post-test teacher and parent mean scores were significantly lower than the pre-test teacher and parent mean scores i.e. the t-value for teacher is t₍₂₉₎=16.81 and for parent is t₍₂₉₎=15.74.This significant reduction in the post-test scores revealed that there was an improvement in the ADHD assessment scores done by the teachers and parents. Conclusion: Based on the findings it is concluded that DMT was highly effective as a complementary therapy to treat children with ADHD.

Keywords: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Dance Movement Therapy (DMT), Effectiveness.

INTRODUCTION

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that becomes apparent in some children in the preschool age and it is one of the most common childhood onset psychiatric disorders that affect school age children. In a classroom of 25 to 30 children, it is likely that at least one will have ADHD. Boys are more commonly affected by ADHD than girls. It is a disruptive behavioural disorder with early childhood onset, characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Koshland, Wilson and Wittaker (2004) found that the Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) fostered social interactions and expression of feelings as well as gaining self-control. According to studies done by Gronlund, Renck and Weibull (2005), there is a strong relationship between motor-perception dysfunction and ADHD, which is why a movement intervention, such as DMT could serve as an appropriate treatment method. As a form of expressive therapy, DMT is founded on the basis that movement and emotion are directly related. The ultimate purpose of DMT is to find a healthy balance and a sense of wholeness [American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA), 2007]. In DMT, movement interaction is utilized to attain therapeutic goals. This therapy helps in enhancing emotionalphysical unity of individuals, effecting changes in feelings, cognition and physical...