Psychomotor therapy targeting anger and aggressive behaviour in individuals with mild or borderline intellectual disabilities: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: Poor anger regulation is considered a risk factor of aggression in individuals with mild or borderline intellectual disabilities. Psychomotor therapy (PMT) targets anger regulation through body-and movement-oriented interventions. This study aims to inform practitioners on efficacy and research-base of PMT in this population. Method: This systematic review evaluated nine studies which met inclusion criteria in terms of participants, intervention procedures, outcomes and certainty of evidence. Results: Seven studies revealed a substantial reduction of aggressive behaviour or anger. Certainty of evidence was rated inconclusive in most cases due to absence of experimental control. Conclusions: We can conclude that body-oriented PMT, involving progressive relaxation and meditation procedure "Soles of the Feet", is a promising approach. However, the paucity of studies and methodological limitations preclude classifying it as an evidence-based practice. This suggests stronger methodological research and research aimed at PMT's mechanisms of action (e.g., improved interoceptive awareness) is warranted.

Take it personal! Development and modelling study of an indicated prevention programme for substance use in adolescents and young adults with mild intellectual disabilities and borderline intellectual functioning

“…The psychomotor therapist focuses on problems that emerge in movement behaviour, body language, physical tension, posture, body sensations and body experience. First, results of effectiveness of psychomotor therapy among adolescents with MID‐BIF show positive findings (Bellemans, 2019). The proposed intervention will incorporate psychomotor therapy exercises into each group session to complement the CBT.…”

Psychometric properties of the ABSI-id, an adapted measure for anger-related interoceptive awareness in individuals with mild intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning

“…In the study by Emck et al (2012), children with MID-BIF and aggressive behaviour were significantly less aware of their body compared to non-aggressive peers. In line with these results, there is some evidence for body-oriented interventions aiming at decreasing aggression by reducing arousal preceding it (Bellemans et al, 2019;Didden et al, 2019;Singh et al, 2003). In psychomotor therapy, a therapy using physical activity and bodily experiences as cornerstones of its approach (Emck & Scheffers, 2019), IA is considered to be important when targeting anger and aggressive behaviour in individuals with MID-BIF.…”

Effects of Body-Oriented Interventions on Preschoolers' Social-Emotional Competence: A Systematic Review

“…The term BOI is used in the literature and in this review as an umbrella term that integrates a wider scope of therapeutic approaches (Röhricht, 2009). Search terms related to BOI (i.e., "body-oriented, " "psychomotor, " "dance movement, " "psychomotor physiotherapy, " "mind-body, " "movement oriented, " "body awareness, " and "body psychotherapy") as well as terms associated with a broader collection of physiological interventions regularly used by psychomotor therapists (Probst et al, 2010;European Forum of Psychomotricity, 2012;Bellemans et al, 2017) (i.e., "exercise, " "physical training, " "sport, " "running, " "physiotherapy, " "yoga, " "relaxation, " and "play") were paired with terms related to social-emotional competence (i.e., "socio-emotional, " "socioemotional, " "socialemotional, " "social, " "emotion, " "soft, " and "non-cognitive") and terms concerning preschool age (i.e., "school, " "preschool, " "kindergarten, " "nursery, " "pre-K, " and "playgroup").…”

“…The term BOI is used in the literature, and in this review, as an umbrella term that integrates a broader range of body-oriented approaches, such as psychomotricity, play, dance, relaxation, physical activity, and exercise interventions. In general, BOI aim to provide opportunities to become aware of the body, the body in relation to others, and the connection between body and emotions (Röhricht, 2009;Probst et al, 2010;European Forum of Psychomotricity, 2012;Bellemans et al, 2017).…”