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Effects of Ball Combination Exercise Combined with cTBS Intervention on Sleep Problems in Children with Autism

Decheng Xu1, Zhiyuan Sun1, Yahui Yang1

  • 1College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225127, China.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|September 18, 2024
PubMed

Insights

This study found that exercise, continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS), and combined interventions improved sleep problems in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The combined approach showed the most significant benefits for overall sleep quality and anxiety.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatrics
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Sleep problems are prevalent in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), significantly impacting their quality of life.
  • Non-pharmacological interventions are increasingly explored to address these sleep disturbances.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of a 12-week ball combination exercise, continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS), and a combined intervention on sleep problems in children with ASD.
  • To compare the effectiveness of these interventions against a control group.

Main Methods:

  • Forty-five children with ASD were allocated into three intervention groups (ball exercise, cTBS, combined) and a control group.
  • Interventions lasted 12 weeks, with the control group maintaining usual activities.
  • Sleep problems were assessed using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) scale.

Main Results:

  • All three interventions (exercise, cTBS, combined) significantly reduced sleep problems in children with ASD compared to baseline.
  • The cTBS and combined groups showed significant reductions in overall CSHQ scores.
  • Significant improvements in sleep anxiety were observed in the exercise and combined groups.
  • The combined intervention demonstrated superior effectiveness in overall sleep quality (CSHQ scores) and sleep anxiety compared to single interventions.

Conclusions:

  • Ball combination exercise, cTBS, and combined interventions are effective non-pharmacological strategies for improving sleep problems in children with ASD.
  • The combined intervention appears to be the most effective approach for enhancing sleep quality and reducing sleep anxiety in this population.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of these interventions on sleep in ASD.

Keywords:
ASD childrenBall combination exerciseCombined interventionSleep problemscTBS stimulation

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