Citation

Palermo MT, Di Luigi M, Dal Forno G, Dominici C, Vicomandi D, Sambucioni A, Proietti L, Pasqualetti P. Int. J. Offender Ther. Comp. Criminol. 2006; 50(6): 654-660.

Affiliation

Italian Federation of Martial Arts.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0306624X06293522

PMID

17068190

Abstract

Childhood disruptive behaviors can be precursors to later deviance. To verify the efficacy of karate, a complex psychomotor activity that enhances self-regulation and executive skills, as an intervention for externalizing behaviors, 16 children, ranging in age from 8 to 10 years, and meeting diagnostic criteria for oppositional defiant disorder were studied. Eight were randomly assigned to a 10-month Wa Do Ryu karate program, whereas 8 children received no intervention. The children were assigned to a larger karate class, composed of typically developing youngsters. Three domains of temperament--intensity, adaptability, and mood regulation--were measured at the beginning and the end of the training period in all 16 participants. A significant improvement in temperament scale scores was measured in the karate group for all tested items compared to controls. Karate, when properly taught, can be a useful adjunct in multimodal programs aimed at externalizing behavior reduction.

Language: en