Psychomotor therapy for individuals with mild intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning presenting anger regulation problems and/or aggressive behaviour:A qualitative study on clients' experiences

Background Psychomotor therapy (PMT) is often applied in Dutch clinical practice to address aggressive behaviour in individuals with mild intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning. However, the literature on clients' experiences is lacking. Methods An interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyse the semi-structured interviews of seven participants (19-60 years; four male, three female) who completed PMT targeting anger regulation problems. Results According to the participants, becoming aware of increasing tension and/or learning to downregulate the tension were the main goals of PMT. They emphasised both the possibility to learn by doing and the therapeutic alliance as essential to create a safe context, where participants can experiment with alternative behaviour. After completing PMT, participants perceived fewer aggressive outbursts and an increased self-esteem. Conclusions Participants in our sample experienced PMT as being helpful in targeting anger regulation problems and aggressive behaviour. The experiential nature of the program was perceived as a valuable aspect of PMT

Psychomotor therapy targeting anger and aggressive behaviour in individuals with mild or borderline intellectual disabilities:A systematic review

Background: Poor anger regulation is considered a risk factor of aggression in individuals with mild or borderline intellectual disabilities. Psychomotor therapy (PMT) targets anger regulation through body- and movement-oriented interventions. This study aims to inform practitioners on efficacy and research-base of PMT in this population. Method: This systematic review evaluated nine studies which met inclusion criteria in terms of participants, intervention procedures, outcomes and certainty of evidence. Results: Seven studies revealed a substantial reduction of aggressive behaviour or anger. Certainty of evidence was rated inconclusive in most cases due to absence of experimental control. Conclusions: We can conclude that body-oriented PMT, involving progressive relaxation and meditation procedure "Soles of the Feet", is a promising approach. However, the paucity of studies and methodological limitations preclude classifying it as an evidence-based practice. This suggests stronger methodological research and research aimed at PMT's mechanisms of action (e.g., improved interoceptive awareness) is warranted.</p

Psychometric properties of the ABSI-id, an adapted measure for anger-related interoceptive awareness in individuals with mild intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning

Background: The present study examined the psychometric properties of the Anger Bodily Sensations Interview - intellectual disabilities (ABSI-id), an adapted instrument to measure anger-related interoceptive awareness (IA) in individuals with mild intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning (MID-BIF). Method: The ABSI-id was individually administered to 208 clients (51% male) with MID-BIF in residential facilities. Results: An EFA and CFA showed a two-factor structure of the ABSI-id, including nine items. The ABSI-id had moderate to good reliability, with an internal consistency ranging from acceptable to good, a test-retest reliability ranging from moderate to good and an adequate convergent validity. There was no significant difference in ABSI-id scores between individuals with MID and BIF. Conclusion: The ABSI-id is a promising instrument for measuring anger-related IA, additional research is needed on validity and sensitivity of change

The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, version 2 (MAIA-2): psychometric properties in a Dutch non-clinical sample

Abstract Background Interoceptive awareness is a multidimensional construct that refers to the sensation, interpretation, and integration of signals within the body. There is increasing evidence that problems with interoceptive awareness form an important component of mental health problems. The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness 2 (MAIA-2) is presently the most used self-report questionnaire to measure interoceptive awareness. The aim of the present study is to psychometrically evaluate the Dutch version of the MAIA-2. Method The psychometric properties of the MAIA-2-NL were examined in a non-clinical sample of 1054 participants aged between 18 and 83. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were investigated. Factor structure was examined by exploratory factor analysis (EFA), followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results Internal consistency was good, with McDonald’s omega (ω) ranging from 0.67 to 0.89. Test-retest reliability was moderate to good, with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) ranging from 0.67 to 0.79. Factor analyses suggested a six-factor structure, combining the original subscales Noticing with Emotional awareness and Self-regulation with Body listening. However, a CFA based on the original eight factors showed a somewhat better fit than the CFA based on six factors. Conclusion The MAIA-2-NL is a reliable and valid instrument to measure interoceptive awareness in healthy Dutch adults. We recommend to maintain the original 37 items

Psychomotor therapy for anger and aggression in mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning:an Intervention Mapping approach

Item does not contain fulltextDifficulties with anger regulation in individuals with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning (MID-BIF) are often associated with aggressive behaviour. Psychomotor therapy (PMT), a mind-body intervention often applied in Dutch facilities for this target group, uses body awareness and physical activities as a medium to learn how to gain control over one’s anger and reduce aggressive behaviour. With Intervention Mapping as a framework, 17 Dutch psychomotor therapists were asked to describe their PMT programme to investigate its content and coherence. Results suggested that interoceptive awareness (IA) and adaptive coping skills (ACS) are key elements of the PMT programmes. The theoretical basis of the PMT programmes is however limited and specific instruments for evaluating PMT are not available yet, especially for IA. Psychomotor therapists would gain from a well-described PMT programme. Future research is warranted on IA, and specific instruments need to be developed and validated for this target group.17 p