Fast Feet Forward: Sports training and running practice to reduce stress and increase positive cognitions in unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors

This paper looks using running as bilateral stimulation (BLS) and findings of an unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors sport trauma group.

Article Abstract

“Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) are a vulnerable group who are exposed to multiple traumatic events such as persecution, sexual maltreatment, imprisonment, torture, and losses in their home country (Bean, Derluyn, Eurelings-Bontekoe, Broekaert, & Spinhoven, 2007; Wiese and Burhorst, 2007). They are also subjected to continuous transitions throughout their migration trajectory (Bhugra, 2004). Although many studies have investigated the efficacy of bilateral movement in treatment of one single traumatic event (e.g. Fernandez, 2007), there is limited literature around bilateral movements interventions being used with perpetuated and multiple traumas within this cohort. This paper looks at the evidence for early intervention trauma work based on EMDR principles, the benefits of using running as a form of bilateral movement and the findings of a UASC sport trauma group with children in Kent, UK. It also gives recommendations for future research into early intervention trauma work with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. The data showed a significant rise in the Validity of Cognition scores with a reduction in Subjective Units of Disturbance scores of those participating in the programme. This highlights the validity of this protocol and shows promising results for future enquiry.”

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Draper, A., Marcellino, E., & Ogbonnaya, C. (2020). Fast feet forward: Sports training and running practice to reduce stress and increase positive cognitions in unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors. Counselling & Psychology Research, 20(4), 638-676. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12330

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“Counselling and Psychotherapy Research is an innovative international peer-reviewed journal dedicated to linking research with practice.”

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