A pilot study examining the effects of Kouk Sun Do on university students with anxiety symptoms.
The effects of Kouk Sun Do (KSD), a mind-body exercise on mental health in university students, were investigated in this pilot study. University students (N = 30) with self-reported anxiety symptoms were randomly assigned to either the treatment group or the waiting list control group. Eighteen participants (N = 18; seven in the treatment group and 11 in the waiting list control group) completed a pre-test and a post-test, and 12 participants dropped out before or during the intervention. Ten 70-min KSD exercise sessions were conducted three times per week over a 4-week period. Trait anxiety, depressive symptoms and general self-efficacy in coping with stress were measured with the pre-test and the post-test. Qualitative data were collected using open-ended questions regarding benefits of KSD at the last session. A two (group) by two (time) repeated-measure analysis of variance was used to analyse the data. Trait anxiety and depressive symptoms decreased whereas general self-efficacy increased over a 4-week period. The treatment group had significantly reduced trait anxiety and depressive symptoms compared with the control group across time. Qualitative data provided support that the self-induced relaxation effects of KSD may lead to reduced anxiety.
Department of Health Education and Recreation, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA. jonghokim@siu.edu
Jong-Ho
JH
Kim
Heewon
H
Yang
Stephen
S
Schroeppel
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D026441:Mind-Body Therapies / Q000379:methods*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D036301:Qualitative Research; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult