Assessment of the impact of neuro-linguistic programming on primary Schoolchildren's intellectual capacity

Abstract

BackgroundLebanon's education system confronts significant obstacles from political instability, economic downturns, and inequalities among children, underscoring the urgency for interventions like Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). This study posits that NLP techniques hold promise in equipping students with the tools to surmount these hurdles and enhance their intellectual capabilities. ObjectiveThis study examines the influence of NLP on the intellectual capacity and abstract reasoning skills of primary school children aged 6 to 11. MethodsOver four months, from April to July 2023, a before-and-after intervention study was conducted. The study involved children from a private urban school in Lebanon, and the Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices test was individually administered to assess their intellectual abilities. This test was administered before and after the NLP intervention, which comprised four sessions for teachers and one for students. ResultsThe study involving 121 students (60.0% females, 40.0% males), indicated significant enhancements in performance, particularly among older students aged 8 to 11. Notable increases in mean scores were observed, such as 8-year-olds improving from 8.95 to 9.36 and 11-year-olds experiencing a significant boost from 6.86 to 12.69. Connectivity analysis revealed positive relationships between students' age and performance, with correlation coefficients of 0.328 before and 0.633 after the intervention. Similarly, strong correlations between grade level and performance were evident, with coefficients of 0.385 before and 0.716 after the intervention, both statistically significant (p < 0.001). Comparisons of intellectual abilities among students showcased more significant improvements among older age groups, emphasizing the potential benefits of NLP, particularly for students between 9 and 11 years old. ConclusionThe NLP intervention yielded notable enhancements in children's academic performance, particularly demonstrating a more pronounced positive effect among those aged 8 and older. Despite weaker correlations with parental factors, the study underscores the promising impact of NLP interventions on cognitive development, particularly among older students. As a cost-effective technique, NLP can be implemented with minimal resources, increasing accessibility even in resource-constrained environments.