Effect of long-term physical activity on executive function of children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo establish the categories and structure of physical activity in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and systematically evaluate the long-term effect of physical activity on the executive function of children with ASD, based on the theoretical and methodological framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health-Children and Youth version (ICF-CY). MethodsA search was conducted in databases such as Wanfang data, CNKI, PubMed, Web of Science and ProQuest, to collect literatures about long-term physical activity for executive function of children with ASD published from 2014 to 2023. The literatures were reviewed based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, following PRISMA guidelines for systematic review, and the quality of the included literatures were assessed with the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. ResultsTotally, ten articles were included, consisting of nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one non-randomized controlled trial, with a total of 351 children diagnosed as ASD, aged three to 18 years, came from Italy, Canada, South Korea, China and the United States, published mainly after 2016. Physical activity primarily included sports activities (such as baseball, basketball, table tennis and equine-assisted activities), skill-based activities (such as cycling, cognitive-motor training and active gaming), physical fitness activities (SPARK), as well as combat-related activities (martial arts and karate); 30 to 70 minutes a time (mainly 45 minutes), one to five times a week (mainly twice a week), for two to 24 weeks (mainly twelve weeks). Long-term physical activities had been found to improve inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility in children with ASD, although the effect on working memory was inconsistent. ConclusionLong-term physical activity may positively impact on executive function in children with ASD, especially inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility. However, the effect on working memory need more researches.