Background: After a stroke many patients have muscle weakness, spasticity and compromised sensation leading to decreased postural stability. Basic Body Awareness Therapy includes slow movements that challenge postural control.
Aim: The aim was to describe experiences of 8 weeks of Basic Body Awareness Therapy from the perspective of both patients with stroke and physiotherapists.
Method: This study had a qualitative design. Twenty-one patients and four physiotherapists were interviewed. The interviews were analysed using manifest and latent content analysis.
Results: One overall theme emerged "Simple yet challenging" which was based on six categories: "Facing one's limitations", "Individualized movements", "A feeling of harmony", "Improved balance", "Integrated knowledge" and "Frustration and doubt". The patients described improvement in balance and stability, as well as increased wellbeing.
Conclusion: The patients and physiotherapists related that Basic Body Awareness Therapy challenges balance but also provides an opportunity to reflect on the body.
A total of 24 patients, considerably disabled in daily activities by back pain, participated in an Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) programme. The patients also had several health problems in addition to their current pain. The programme emphasised the principles of body awareness. The study is aimed at investigating not only whether symptom reduction would be achieved, but also at identifying qualities of EAT that were particularly beneficial for the patients' well being. The study was performed according to action research principles. The treatment reduced the pain and lessened other symptoms. The EAT also had an influence on the patients' self-image and a positive chain of effects was observed. The consequences were described according to four dimensions; the dimension of body awareness, competence, emotion and environment. The dimensions were interrelated having the simultaneous influence of a transition process and symptom reduction towards health.
Adherence to exercise is paramount if desired health effects are to be achieved. Drop out rates in excess of 50% have been reported, with the intensity of the exercise performed frequently blamed. Qigong is a low-intensity mind-body technique that may offer an alternative to more intense modes of exercise. The aim of this study was therefore to determine if exercise motives, exercise intention, age, stress and energy levels predict adherence to qigong exercise. Participants (n=87) were assessed by self-rated retrospective physical activity behavior, by performed Qigong exercise and Concentration level, and by Sport Motivation Scale, Planned Behavior Questionnaire, and Stress and Energy Scale. Exercise intention, Age and Stress predicted Exercise frequency (R2 = .29); when level of Concentration (a non-baseline assessment) was included as a predictor, prediction strength increased (R2 = .38). Results suggest that health-professionals who are aiming to secure activity adherence and exercise frequency, should focus on strengthening the individual’s intention to exercise, promoting a calm energy state before commencement of exercise, and encouraging a heightened level of concentration during exercise.
Sara, the participant in this single case study, had to leave work due to burnout. She is now recovered and working, but still complains ofdisturbed moods and worries about getting burned out again. The aim of this study was to, by way of Qigong and mindfulness exercise, increase the participant’s positive mood to a functional level and to increase exercise experiences by combining mindfulness and Qigong practice. The professional practice intervention was planned to last twelve weeks, combining mindfulness practice and three different Qigong exercise techniques. Exercise behavior was noted daily, stress-energy and wellness were followed up weekly, and mindfulness was followed up after four, nine and 12 weeks. Sara feels that her moods (more energy, wellness and joy, as well as less stress and worry) have stabilized at a high level (good to very good), and her mindfulness score also improved to a high level (4.2 on a six-point scale). Sara also states that she enjoys life more: accepts stressful situations as they are, is less worried about becoming burned out again, and is more open to life. Exercise professionals may use mindfulness practice and Qigong exercise when recovering moods, probably even better in preventing burnout syndromes.
Introduction: Daytime tiredness is a risk factor for poor health and well-being in the short and long term and is often associated with sleep problems, stress-related mental health complaints and decreased school functioning. This study investigates the effect of an 8 month dance intervention study on daytime tiredness, alertness, sleep duration, sleep quality and school satisfaction.
Methods: Randomized controlled intervention study that included a total of 112 girls aged 13-18 years old with stress-related mental health problems. Dance intervention with focus on enjoyment were performed semiweekly for 8 months. Questionnaire-based measurements regarding self-reported daytime tiredness, alertness, school satisfaction, sleep duration and quality were evaluated at baseline and at 8-, 12- and 20- month follow-ups.
Results: Daytime tiredness decreased significantly in the dance group compared to control group at all follow-ups. Alertness increased significant within the dance group, but there were no significant difference compared to the controls. Significant improvements were found in all sleep quality items within the dance group, between groups only one significant result was found. No conclusive changes in sleep duration were observed. School satisfaction increased significantly in the dance intervention group; however, its significance compared to that of the control group faded after adjustment for differences between groups at baseline.
Conclusions: This study suggests that a dance intervention focusing on enjoyment can be effective in decreasing daytime tiredness. This study also adds to the growing body of evidence for the benefits of using nonpharmacological interventions to decrease stress-related problems among adolescents.