Effectiveness of an 8-Week Game-Based Physical Activity Program in Reducing Post-Traumatic Stress among Children Affected by the 2023 Kahramanmaras Earthquakes

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dc.contributor.authorCanpolat, Burak
dc.contributor.authorNorman, Goktug
dc.contributor.authorGundogdu, Cemal
dc.contributor.authorTufekci, Fakir
dc.contributor.authorAygun, Yalin
dc.contributor.authorAkbuga, Taylan
dc.date.accessioned2026-04-04T13:31:19Z
dc.date.available2026-04-04T13:31:19Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.departmentİnönü Üniversitesi
dc.description.abstractObjectives: This study examines the effectiveness of an eight-week game-based physical activity program designed to reduce post-traumatic stress levels in children affected by the Kahramanmara & scedil;-centered earthquakes that occurred in Turkey on 06 February 2023. Following the earthquake, millions of children experienced significant changes in their education and living conditions, adversely affecting their psychological health. Methods: The therapeutic effects of physical activity on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are frequently emphasized in the literature, and this study specifically focuses on the impact of game-based exercises. The research employed an experimental design, involving 80 earthquake-affected children aged 10 to 13, who were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 40) or a control group (n = 40). The experimental group participated in game-based physical activities three times per week for eight weeks, with each session lasting 60 min. Data were collected using the Child Post-Traumatic Stress Reaction Index (CPTS-RI), and pre-test and post-test comparisons were conducted. Results: Children in the experimental group showed a marked reduction in PTSD symptoms, with mean CPTS-RI scores decreasing from 2.60 at pre-test to 1.91 at post-test. In contrast, the control group's scores remained virtually unchanged (2.59 at pre-test vs. 2.57 at post-test). Two-way ANOVA demonstrated significant main effects of group and time, as well as a significant group x time interaction (F = 114.88, p < 0.001, eta(2) = 0.42), indicating that the reduction was attributable to participation in the game-based physical activity program. These findings highlight not only the statistical significance but also the practical relevance of structured, culturally adapted physical activity interventions for trauma-exposed children. Conclusion: These findings suggest that regular, structured game-based physical activities can support the mental health of children following traumatic events such as earthquakes and reduce their stress levels. The study recommends integrating physical activity into post-disaster psychosocial support programs and highlights it as an effective, accessible, and enjoyable method to enhance children's trauma coping skills. Accordingly, it advocates for the wider implementation of physical activity-based interventions in similar crisis situations.
dc.description.sponsorshipScientific Research Projects Unit (BAP) of Idot;nonu University [SBA-2024-3449]
dc.description.sponsorshipThis research was funded by the Scientific Research Projects Unit (BAP) of & Idot;nonu University under project number SBA-2024-3449.
dc.identifier.doi10.32604/ijmhp.2025.069852
dc.identifier.issn1462-3730
dc.identifier.issn2049-8543
dc.identifier.issue11
dc.identifier.scopus2-s2.0-105025108836
dc.identifier.scopusqualityQ3
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2025.069852
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/11616/108728
dc.identifier.volume27
dc.identifier.wosWOS:001643109200001
dc.identifier.wosqualityQ3
dc.indekslendigikaynakWeb of Science
dc.indekslendigikaynakScopus
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherTech Science Press
dc.relation.ispartofInternational Journal of Mental Health Promotion
dc.relation.publicationcategoryMakale - Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi - Kurum Öğretim Elemanı
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.snmzKA_WOS_20250329
dc.subjectEarthquake-affected children
dc.subjectpost-traumatic stress
dc.subjectgame-based physical activity
dc.subjectchild post-traumatic stress reaction index (CPTS-RI)
dc.subjectpsychological well-being
dc.titleEffectiveness of an 8-Week Game-Based Physical Activity Program in Reducing Post-Traumatic Stress among Children Affected by the 2023 Kahramanmaras Earthquakes
dc.typeArticle

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