Asian Journal of Research in Nursing and Health

Background: Martial arts are increasingly used as interventions to support physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being. Although martial arts are sometimes perceived as combative activities that foster aggression, a growing body of research reports potential benefits for physical and psychological well-being, including reductions in anxiety, depression, and aggression and improvements in self-esteem. In the Philippines, Dangerous Drugs Board reports document admissions to Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers (DATRCs) from 2013 to 2023. Rehabilitation programmes’ should therefore adopt a holistic approach that addresses physical, psychological, and emotional needs. Stigma associated with illicit drug use may contribute to low self-esteem and depression. Many people undergoing rehabilitation experience low self-esteem, diminished confidence, and difficulty coping with challenges, which may create psychosocial barriers to recovery.

Objective: This study used Tong-Il Moo Do martial arts as an intervention and examined changes in self-esteem and general self-efficacy among women undergoing rehabilitation for illicit drug use at a selected rehabilitation center. Tong-Il Moo Do (TIMD) combines traditional and modern martial arts and includes both soft and hard techniques. Soft techniques involve slow and gentle movements, whereas hard techniques involve rapid, intense movements characterized by strength and agility. Its techniques and forms develop physical skills while disciplining the mind through meditation and philosophy.

Methods: The study used a quasi-experimental one-group pre-test/post-test design with 18 participants (n = 18). Eligible participants were women aged 18–60 years who met the rehabilitation center’s Department of Health admission criteria, passed the physical activity readiness assessment, were medically cleared as physically and mentally fit, and agreed to participate. None had previous martial arts experience, and all were enrolled in the TC modality. The intervention was incorporated into daily activities and comprised one-hour training sessions on 21 non-consecutive days over four weeks, from 10:00 to 11:00, Monday to Friday.

Results: The self-esteem weighted mean increased from 1.87 at pre-test to 2.24 at post-test, while the self-efficacy weighted mean increased from 3.19 to 3.69. Paired-samples t-tests indicated statistically significant pre–post differences in self-esteem (t = 6.109, p < .001) and self-efficacy (t = 6.882, p < .001) at an alpha level of .01. These findings indicate improvements in both outcomes following participation in the Tong-Il Moo Do programmed.

Conclusion: Participation in the Tong-Il Moo Do martial arts training programmed was associated with improved self-esteem and self-efficacy among women undergoing rehabilitation for illicit drug use. The programmed may be a promising complementary intervention for psychological well-being. However, because the study used a one-group quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test design without a control group, the findings should be interpreted cautiously. The observed improvements cannot be attributed solely to martial arts training because routine rehabilitation, participants’ recovery, and other external influences may also have contributed.