Graded meridian test program to prevent bullying: Preliminary study

Abstract

Aim: We conducted a study on the effects of a graded meridian test (M-Test) program on bullying and stress emotions in an elementary school. Methods: Participants were 22 girls and 19 boys at a public elementary school. Questionnaires were administered before and after a 3 month study period. For the intervention, M-Test instructors implemented a graded program to teach the M-Test at school after classes over a total of 10 15 min sessions. The M-Test consisted of having the students themselves or friends of the same gender perform gentle touching on acupoints located along the arms determined from six neck movements. Results: Although the score for the frequency of bullying others scale did not change for the boys, it did improve significantly from before to after the intervention period in girls. Among 10 girls with improvement in the frequency of bullying others scale, the most significant association was for the rate of change in the teacher stressor scale, followed by the rate of change in the physical stress scale, and then the aggression–anger stress scale. Conclusion: The M-Test program may increase student resilience as a means of preventing future bullying.