Title of article :
Massage and Storytelling Reduce Aggression and Improve Academic Performance in Children Attending Elementary School
Author/Authors :
Caromano, Fátima Aparecida Department of Physical Therapy - Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy Rehabilitation Sciences Post Graduation Program - Medical School - University of S ̃ao Paulo - S ̃ao Paulo - SP, Brazil , Gonçalves, Lia Lopes Department of Physical Therapy - Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy Rehabilitation Sciences Post Graduation Program - Medical School - University of S ̃ao Paulo - S ̃ao Paulo - SP, Brazil , Voos, Mariana Callil Department of Physical Therapy - Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy Rehabilitation Sciences Post Graduation Program - Medical School - University of S ̃ao Paulo - S ̃ao Paulo - SP, Brazil , de Almeida, Maria Helena Morgani Department of Physical Therapy - Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy Rehabilitation Sciences Post Graduation Program - Medical School - University of S ̃ao Paulo - S ̃ao Paulo - SP, Brazil
Abstract :
Aggressive behaviors must be addressed in elementary schools. Massage and storytelling can be strategies to deal with
aggression because both involve experience exchange and social interaction. Both can decrease stress and anxiety and increase
self-esteem. Objective. To evaluate the effect of two interventions (massage and storytelling) on aggressive behaviors and academic
performance of elementary school children. Method. Three groups (𝑛=35children in each group) of the second grade participated
(aged 6.5–8.1 years). One group received ten extra classes of massage (MG), another group received extra classes of storytelling (SG),
and the control group received extra classes of random subjects (CG). Extra classes lasted for 50 minutes, once a week. Aggressive
behaviors were recorded on diaries, by the teachers and the coordinator. The frequency of aggressive behaviors and the academic
performance of MG, SG, and CG were observed for six months and the groups were compared. Findings. ANOVAs evidenced
that MG and SG, but not CG, showed a reduction in aggressive behaviors registered by the teachers and coordinator, after the
intervention. Academic performance of MG and SC improved after the intervention (𝑝<0.05).
Keywords :
Massage , Storytelling Reduce Aggression , Improve Academic Performance , Children Attending Elementary School , ANOVAs , MG , SG , and CG
Journal title :
Occupational Therapy International
