The effectiveness of rhythmic movement games training on separation anxiety in children

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of rhythmic movement game training on reducing separation anxiety in children aged 5 to 6 years.

The research method was quasi-experimental with pretest-posttest design with control group and two-month follow-up. The study population of this study was children aged 5 to 6 years with separation anxiety referred to the Family and child clinic of Shahid Beheshti University in 2018. After screening with separation separation measurement scale (parent version), 24 children were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly in The experimental and control groups (12 children in each group) were replaced. The experimental group underwent Rafie (2012) rhythmic movement training package for 8 sessions, but the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance statistical method.

The results showed that rhythmic motor game training on the total score of separation anxiety (F = 0.004, P = 0.004), fear of being left alone (F = 0.012, F = 7.7), fear of abandonment. (F = 10.00, P = 0.004), then the fear of physical diseases (F = 0.004, F = 10.60) and the dimension of worry about dangerous accidents (F = 0.049, F = 3.97) and this effect was sustained in the follow-up phase.

Teaching rhythmic movement games is an effective strategic intervention to reduce separation anxiety in children.