The Effect of Exercise Intervention on Cognitive Function and Quality of Life With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This research review looked at 14 studies about exercise programs for children with autism. They found that exercise helped improve social communication and social skills in small but meaningful ways. The studies also showed exercise helped with sleep, behavior, movement skills, and overall quality of life. However, the studies were small and varied, so more research with larger groups of children is needed to know the best types of exercise programs.

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined exercise interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), analyzing 14 studies including 8 randomized trials. The meta-analysis found statistically significant small improvements in social communication (MD: 1.42, 95% CI: 0.21-2.63, p=0.02) and social cognition (MD: 1.99, 95% CI: 0.18-3.80, p=0.03) following exercise interventions. Studies consistently demonstrated benefits across multiple domains including sleep, behavioral aspects, motor skills, and quality of life. However, the authors emphasize cautious interpretation due to small sample sizes and study heterogeneity, calling for larger, adequately powered trials to establish optimal exercise programs for ASD management.

Exercise interventions show promise as evidence-based treatments for core ASD symptoms and functional outcomes. While effects are modest, the consistent benefits across multiple domains suggest exercise could be valuable as part of comprehensive intervention approaches. However, optimal exercise protocols require further investigation through larger trials.

Small sample sizes across included studies, heterogeneity in study designs and interventions, and need for cautious interpretation of results. Authors specifically noted that adequately powered trials are required to establish evidence-based exercise protocols.

Physical exercise may confer benefits on cognitive function and quality of life in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the evidence has not been co mprehensively synthesized. This study aimed to investigate the effect of exercise intervention on cognitive function and quality of life with ASD, and provide evidence to support the scientific use of exercise interventions in practice. We systematically searched major databases from inception to November 2023 for randomized trials and observational studies examining exercise interventions in children with ASD.

Mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. Risk of bias was evaluated with the Cochrane tool. Fourteenth studies were included.

Meta-analysis of 8 randomized trials found a small but significant effect of exercise on social communication (MD: 1.42, 95% CI: 0.21 to 2.6322, p = 0.02, I2 = 29%). The effect on social cognition was also significant (MD: 1.99, 95% CI: 0.18 to 3.80, p = 0.03, I2 = 0%). Influential analysis identified 2 studies as outliers. Leave-one-out analysis showed meta-analysis conclusions were robust.

The included studies consistently demonstrated benefits of exercise on sleep, behavioral aspects, motor skills, quality of life, and other outcomes. This meta-analysis provides evidence that exercise interventions may improve core symptoms and functional outcomes in children with ASD. However, small sample sizes and heterogeneity indicate cautious interpretation. Further adequately powered trials are needed to establish optimal exercise programs for managing ASD.