Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
Introduction: Behavioural problems of adolescents, such as anger, impulsivity, hyperactivity and emotional problems is a cross-cutting issue among all communities, religions and cultures around the world. An influx of internet, social media, alcohol and illegal substances in the post-conflict period has led to the existing adolescent behaviour problems in Jaffna, Sri Lanka.Objectives: To find out the quantitative and qualitative impact of a yoga-based intervention in the personal lives of grade 8 children in selected schools in Jaffna, Sri LankaMethods: A non-randomized controlled trial was carried out in four educational zones over six months during 2017-2018. The trial implemented a yoga-based intervention package: 1) slow breathing for 5-6 minutes, 2) Surya namaskar for 6-8 minutes and 3) mindfulness meditation for 5-6 minutes. The intervention was designed by relevant experts through a desk review. In both intervention and control groups, pre/post quantitative assessments were conducted using the Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire (SDQ) of parents, teachers and students; and three focus group discussions (FGD). Thematic analysis was performed from the recordings of both FGDs.Results: The quantitative analysis indicated that according to parents’ assessments, the emotional issues (p=0.001) along with the total difficulty score (p=0.001) were reduced in the intervention group (n=584). Within the control group (n=499), teachers’ assessments indicated an increase in emotional problems (p=0.001) and a reduction in pro-social scores (p=0.001). The FGD results indicated that most of the students felt that their mind got quietened and that completing school homework was a relatively easy task after the yoga intervention.Conclusions & Recommendations: This yoga-based intervention package appeared to be effective quantitatively in reducing their externalizing and internalizing behaviour issues and qualitatively to motivate them to focus on their studies.
Sivashanakar et al. (Fri,) studied this question.