Jorge Manuel de Sousa Magalhaes Rodrigues
Institute of Biomedical Sciences of Oporto University, Portugal
Title: Effect of Taijiquan and Qigong on emotional and behavioral disorders in children and adolescents
Biography
Biography: Jorge Manuel de Sousa Magalhaes Rodrigues
Abstract
Child development and wellness are strictly dependent on several factors among them physical activity, a proper nutrition and, of critical importance, a healthy mind. Psychopathologies like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), Anxiety and depressive disorders (ADD), and Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD) have a direct negative impact on social, academic or occupational functioning of the affected children. If left untreated, these pathologies may progress to adulthood, thus requiring research strategies on conventional and nonconventional modalities of treatment. Several studies have already been performed on children and adolescents using Taijiquan and/or Qigong as treatment. These techniques follow the philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, aiming to act and restore normal functioning of the body as a whole. With that in mind, this communication will present recent results on the topic, shedding some light on these alternative and complementary techniques for the treatment of emotional and behavioral disorders in children and adolescents.