6. Trending: Body-based interventions

Question 1

The most common body-based intervention is

Answer 1

Yoga

Question 1

yoga is an

Answer 1

ancient Indian spiritual, mental and physical practice that incorporates breathing techniques, meditation and body postures (called ‘asanas’).

Question 2

The types of yoga specifically studied include

Answer 2

relaxation-based yoga (called Hatha), and a strength-based approach that involves holding difficult poses for longer periods of time (Iyengar

Question 3

there is growing research evidence demonstrating the immense benefits of yoga for psychological well-being such as

Answer 3

decreased stress, anxiety, depression, and enhanced sleep

Question 4

Specifically, evidence from studies of those who have practised yoga have found

Answer 4

Increased perceptions of quality of life and decreased perceived stress (Gard, et al., 2012);
Lower self-reported stress, blood pressure and respiration rate (Melville, et al., 2012); and
Better overall mood and vitality (Hartfield, et al., 2011).

Question 5

In clinical settings, yoga has been found effective in patients with

Answer 5

schizophrenia (Vancampfort, et a., 2011) and complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (West, 2011).

Question 6

West (2011) argues that the effectiveness of yoga is that it focuses on

Answer 6

positive resources and growth, rather than symptom reduction

Question 7

Breathing enables the immediate release of

Answer 7

tension, attention focus, and anxiety reduction (Wells, 2012).

Question 8

Body psychotherapy involves using the body and its muscles to help change

Answer 8

maladaptive thoughts and cognitions

Question 9

The somatic nervous system (SomNS) is the system responsible for the movement of

Answer 9

muscles and has universal properties linked to psychological states

Question 10

researchers assert that there are common physical reactions to emotional states around the world, such as

Answer 10

tension and a clamped jaw relating to anger; tears associated with sadness, nausea and disgust, smiling and relaxed breathing related to happiness, a racing heart and alertness related to fear, and blushing associated with shame (Rothschild, 2000).

Question 11

As such, body psychotherapy involves using the body as a tool for

Answer 11

healing and well-being

Question 12

To improve body awareness and control, individuals may learn to use their muscles through

Answer 12

resistance exercise training and contraction/relaxation methods

Question 13

Clinical psychologist Kate Hays advocates the use of exercise in therapy to enable therapists to apply a

Answer 13

holistic approach when working with clients, rather than focusing on only the mind

Question 14

The benefits of exercise can occur with clients who are experiencing anxiety and depression and those who are overweight. The purpose is to improve

Answer 14

coping strategies, provide a sense of control and self-efficacy, and create a sense of self and positive body image

Question 15

The role of the therapist is to assess a

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baseline involvement in an activity, how important exercise is to self-image, and support exercise offering technical advice, acting as a role model, and participating.

Question 16

The easiest form of exercise psychotherapy is

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walking

Question 17

progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), is often used in the context of

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body-based interventions to reduce physiological arousal, lower muscle tension, and manage stress (Andreassi, 2007

Question 18

Relaxation helps to counteract prolonged states of

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stress and arousal, as evidenced in a 10-year study for anxiety.

Question 19

Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) assumes that movement and emotions are

Answer 19

linked

Question 20

Dance Movement Therapy is defined as

Answer 20

the psychotherapeutic use of movement as a process which furthers the emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration of the individual” (Xia & Grant, 2009, p. 1)

Question 21

In practice, DMT requires the client to express their

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emotions and thoughts through dance, and the role of the therapist is to encourage free expression and interpret the movements

Question 22

There is limited empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness of DMT as a stand-alone therapeutic technique, however, it has been observed to be effective as an adjunct to treatment, particularly for therapeutic goals, such as

Answer 22

addressing flat mood, lack of drive, social withdrawal, poverty of speech, and loss of feeling and spontaneous movement

Question 23

researchers advocate that body-based therapies, such as DMT, maybe the best intervention to address

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body-based traumas and the associated somatic changes, such as pain and limitations in movement (Bradt, et al., 2011

Question 24

DMT can contribute to improvements in

Answer 24

quality of life, self-esteem, and coping with illness and stress