Impact of aerobic exercise on sleep and motor skills in children with autism spectrum disorders - a pilot study

Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment
Serge BrandMarkus Gerber

Abstract

Prevalence rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have increased dramatically in the last two decades. In addition to the core symptoms such as impaired communication, difficulties in social interaction, and restricted and stereotypical patterns of behavior and interests, poor sleep and motor skill (MS) deficits have also been observed in children with ASD. On the other hand, there is evidence that aerobic exercise training (AET) has a positive impact on sleep, and that specific training improves MSs. Accordingly, the aim of the present pilot study was to investigate to what extent a combination of AET and MS training (MST) would improve sleep and physical performance in a small sample of children with ASD. Ten children with ASD (mean age: 10 years) took part in the study. After a thorough medical examination and psychiatric assessment, children participated in thrice-weekly 60-minute sessions of AET and MST lasting for 3 consecutive weeks. Sleep was assessed both objectively (sleep-encephalography [sleep-EEG]) and subjectively (parents' questionnaire). MSs were assessed via standardized test batteries. Parents completed sleep and mood logs, and ratings of mood. Mild-to-moderate insomnia was reported in 70% of children. Compar...Continue Reading

Citations

Mar 3, 2018·Journal of Clinical Medicine·Ashley C WoodmanHannah Wisniewski
Nov 30, 2019·Autism : the International Journal of Research and Practice·Anneliese RuggeriBarbara Sargent
Jan 7, 2020·The International Journal of Neuroscience·Ramanujam KarthikeyanSeithikurippu R Pandi-Perumal
Nov 2, 2019·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·M A L Mostert-KerckhoffsW G Staal
Oct 26, 2016·Rehabilitation Nursing : the Official Journal of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses·Gregory ReychlerGiuseppe Liistro
Jan 6, 2016·Current Opinion in Psychiatry·Helen S Heussler
Nov 15, 2018·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Vernika TyagiRahul Jain
Jan 22, 2019·Autism : the International Journal of Research and Practice·Choi Yeung Andy TseWing Him Elvis Lai
Apr 29, 2018·The Journal of Pediatrics·Natalia Morales MestreGregory Reychler

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

SPSS

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Autism

Autism spectrum disorder is associated with challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and often accompanied by sensory sensitivities and medical issues. Here is the latest research on autism.