A non-pharmacological intervention for managing conduct disorder in children: The impact of gamified kickboxing training.

Conduct Disorder (CD) is a chronic behavioral condition in children characterized by persistent patterns of disruptive and harmful behaviors. This study investigates the efficacy of a non-pharmacological intervention-specifically, a 12-session gamified kickboxing training program-on reducing aggression in children with behavioral disorders. A quasi-experimental design was employed, with 72 male participants selected via convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 36) or a control group (n = 36). Aggression levels were assessed using the Children's Aggression Questionnaire, and data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The findings revealed a statistically significant reduction (P < 0.05) in all dimensions of aggression-verbal, physical, relational, and impulsive-among participants in the experimental group. The gamified kickboxing intervention not only improved self-control but also served as an engaging and effective method for emotional regulation. These results suggest that this approach can serve as a valuable tool for healthcare professionals in managing aggression and behavioral challenges in children with Conduct Disorder, offering a viable alternative to pharmacological treatments.