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Examining the impact of physical activity on sleep quality and executive functions in children with autism spectrum

Choi Yeung Andy Tse1, Hong Paul Lee2, Ka Shing Kevin Chan1

  • 11 The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

Autism : the International Journal of Research and Practice
|January 22, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Physical activity significantly improved sleep quality and inhibitory control in children with autism spectrum disorder. However, working memory did not show improvement, suggesting tailored interventions may be needed for specific executive functions.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently experience sleep disturbances and executive dysfunction.
  • While physical activity benefits sleep and cognition in typically developing children, research in ASD populations is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of a physical activity intervention on sleep quality and executive functions in children with ASD.
  • To assess changes in specific sleep parameters and executive functions following the intervention.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 40 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (mean age 9.95 years).
  • Participants were assigned to either a physical activity intervention group or a control group.
  • Assessed sleep parameters (efficiency, onset latency, duration, wake after sleep onset) and executive functions (inhibitory control, working memory).

Main Results:

  • The intervention group showed significant improvements in sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, and sleep duration on weekdays compared to the control group.
  • Significant enhancement in inhibitory control was observed in the intervention group, but not in the control group.
  • No significant improvements in working memory capacity were found in either group.

Conclusions:

  • Physical activity demonstrates potential for enhancing sleep quality and certain cognitive functions, specifically inhibitory control, in children with autism spectrum disorder.
  • The findings suggest that while general physical activity can benefit sleep and some executive functions, specific or tailored approaches may be necessary to impact other cognitive domains like working memory.

Keywords:
autism spectrum disorderchildreninhibition controlphysical activitysleepworking memory

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