Stretching the Mind: The Effect of Yoga on Children's Imagination and Creative Thinking

This randomized controlled experimental study was conducted to examine the effect of a yoga-based intervention program on children's imagination and creative thinking. Class-level cluster randomization was used to assign participants to the experimental and control groups.

A total of 60 eighth-grade middle school students who met the study eligibility criteria and voluntarily participated in the study were included. The participants were recruited from two different classes within the same school. Using a lottery method, one class was assigned to the experimental group (n=30) and the other class was assigned to the control group (n=30). Class-level randomization was used to minimize interaction between participants in the experimental and control groups during the intervention.

Before the intervention, pre-test assessments were administered to both groups. The experimental group received a structured yoga-based intervention twice a week for eight weeks, with each session lasting approximately 45 minutes. The control group continued its routine educational activities and did not receive the yoga-based intervention. After completion of the intervention period, post-test assessments were administered to both groups. Pre-test and post-test measurements were used to evaluate changes in participants' imagination and creative thinking and differences between the experimental and control groups.

Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Dual Facet Imagination Scale (DFIS), and the Creative Thinking Tendencies Scale (CTTS). The DFIS consists of 16 items and assesses general imagination as well as two dimensions: experiential simulation and conceptual innovation. The CTTS consists of 25 items and six dimensions and was used to assess children's creative thinking tendencies.

Sociodemographic characteristics, including age and gender, were collected at baseline. Because of the nature of the yoga-based intervention, blinding of participants and intervention providers was not feasible. Outcome data were coded for statistical analysis. Statistical analyses included independent-samples and paired-samples t-tests and repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) to evaluate within-group and between-group changes in imagination and creative thinking outcomes.

Inclusion criteria

• Being an eighth-grade middle school student.
• Being enrolled in one of the two classes selected for the study.
• Meeting the age requirements specified in the study protocol.
• Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study.
• Having the necessary parental/guardian consent to participate.
• Being able to understand and follow the instructions given during the study.
• Being able to participate in the yoga-based intervention program.
• Completing the required pre-test assessments.

Exclusion criteria

• Not meeting the age or educational-level requirements of the study.
• Declining to participate in the study or withdrawing consent.
• Having a condition that prevents participation in the yoga-based intervention.
• Being unable to follow the instructions or participate in the intervention activities.
• Failing to complete the required baseline (pre-test) assessments.
• Withdrawing from the study before completion of the intervention or post-test assessment.