Effects of Dohsa-hou on the Sitting Posture, the Improvement of Stress, Problem Behavior, and Physical Performance for Students with Developmental Disorders

Abstract

This study examined the beneficial effects of Dohsa-hou on the sitting postures of three students with developmental disorders who enrolled in special classes. Further, it observed any changes associated posture improvements. The first half of 30 Dohsa-hou sessions focused primarily on relaxation training and the latter half focused primarily on Tate-System training. The subjects responded negatively and experienced pain during the first half of the Dohsa-hou sessions, but all subjects focused on active training during the latter half. In addition to these changes in their attitudes, the subjects arrived at the possibility of task movements, such as moving their waists back and forth both while sitting cross-legged and in a chair. Results from these operational methods, demonstrated that the subjects were now able to retain a good posture by aligning their body with their pelvis during learning. In the stress measure of change during psychological self-evaluation, all subjects reduced their stress scores. According the problem behavior scale utilized by classroom teachers, problem behavior decreased in all subjects. The results of the physical performance tests, demonstrated that significant improvements of only long seat body ante flexion were noted when compared to baselines. These results factored in the following conclusions: 1） effects of posture improvement by Dohsa-hou and 2） influence on stress, behavior, and physical performance from Dohsa-hou. From the results of this study, the authors concluded that maintaining a posture is not a lifestyle and strength problems, rather it is due to self-control of movements.