Hans Staffan Elgelid

A thesis presented to the department of Physical Therapy and the
Graduate School of the University of Central Arkansas in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in
Physical Therapy Conway, Arkansas
December 1999

ABSTRACT

This study compared four subjects’ body image scores, as measured by a
semantic differentiation scale, before and after a series of Awareness
Through Movement lessons. Four subjects were chosen to participate in
this study based on their initial score on a semantic differentiation scale.
The four subjects met with the researcher twice a week for 45 minutes
each time to receive either tutoring or Awareness Through Movement
lessons. Subject one received Awareness Through Movement lessons
during the whole six week session. Subject two received Awareness
Through Movement lessons for the first three weeks and one-on-one
tutoring during the last three weeks. Subject three received one-on-one
tutoring the first three weeks and Awareness Through Movement lessons
during the last three weeks. Subject four received one-on-one tutoring
during the whole six week session. The subjects completed a semantic
differentiation scale before the study began, after three weeks, and at the
end of the study.

The results indicated that a person who received Awareness Through
Movement lessons scored higher on a semantic differentiation scale
designed to measure body image, than a person who received one-on-one
tutoring. The results also indicated that although the score on the semantic differentiation scale decreased slightly three weeks after the person stopped the Awareness Through Movement lessons, the score did not revert back to the initial level.

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