Comparative effectiveness of physical exercise interventions on sociability and communication in children and adolescents with autism: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Abstract Objective To investigate the efficacy of physical activity as a crucial intervention for Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in clinical settings, we conducted a network meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of various exercise interventions on sociability and communication in individuals with AS...
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2024-11-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02210-w |
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| author | Ruijie Kou Zixuan Li Ming Li Rui Zhou Feilong Zhu Weiqi Ruan Jia Zhang |
| author_facet | Ruijie Kou Zixuan Li Ming Li Rui Zhou Feilong Zhu Weiqi Ruan Jia Zhang |
| author_sort | Ruijie Kou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective To investigate the efficacy of physical activity as a crucial intervention for Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in clinical settings, we conducted a network meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of various exercise interventions on sociability and communication in individuals with ASD. Our aim was to identify the exercise modalities most conducive to enhancing these essential skills. Methods We searched Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Embase, and searched Chinese databases from inception to April 2024. We included randomized controlled trials that assessed the effects of different exercise types on sociability and communication in individuals with ASD. Network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed using a frequentist approach, and the node-splitting method was applied to assess inconsistency. Results We included 38 original studies published between 2009 and 2024, with a total of 1,382 participants analyzed for sociability outcomes. Results indicated that sports games [SMD = 1.12, 95%CI (0.51, 1.73)], combination therapy [SMD = 1.11, 95%CI (0.13, 2.09)], group ball sports [SMD = 1.06, 95%CI (0.37, 1.75)], and outdoor exercise [SMD = 1.02, 95%CI (0.50, 1.55)] were more effective than passive controls. A total of 25 original literatures were included in the analysis of communication ability, involving 904 subjects, and the results showed that combination therapy [SMD = 1.57, 95% CI (0.74, 2.40)], sports games [SMD = 1.01, 95% CI (0.45, 1.56)], group ball games [SMD = 0.85, 95% CI (0.45, 1.26)], outdoor exercise [SMD = 0.79, 95% CI (0.48, 1.11)], and mind-body exercise [SMD = 0.79, 95% CI (0.29, 1.30)], all of which were more effective than passive controls. Conclusion Physical exercise plays a significant role in alleviating symptoms and enhancing sociability and communication in individuals with ASD. Our findings highlight that sports games, combination therapy, team ball sports, and outdoor exercise are particularly effective in improving sociability. In terms of communication skills, combination therapy, sports games, team ball sports, outdoor exercise, and mind-body exercise demonstrated the most substantial benefits. These results provide a robust foundation for future interventions aimed at improving the quality of life for individuals with ASD. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3fabbd20da2a49109487cc096295557f |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-3fabbd20da2a49109487cc096295557f2025-08-20T02:38:35ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832024-11-0112111510.1186/s40359-024-02210-wComparative effectiveness of physical exercise interventions on sociability and communication in children and adolescents with autism: a systematic review and network meta-analysisRuijie Kou0Zixuan Li1Ming Li2Rui Zhou3Feilong Zhu4Weiqi Ruan5Jia Zhang6Capital University of Physical Education and SportsSchool of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking UniversityCapital University of Physical Education and SportsCapital University of Physical Education and SportsCollege of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing Normal UniversityDepartment of exercise and health, Shanghai University of SportSchool of Physical Education, Chongqing UniversityAbstract Objective To investigate the efficacy of physical activity as a crucial intervention for Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in clinical settings, we conducted a network meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of various exercise interventions on sociability and communication in individuals with ASD. Our aim was to identify the exercise modalities most conducive to enhancing these essential skills. Methods We searched Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Embase, and searched Chinese databases from inception to April 2024. We included randomized controlled trials that assessed the effects of different exercise types on sociability and communication in individuals with ASD. Network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed using a frequentist approach, and the node-splitting method was applied to assess inconsistency. Results We included 38 original studies published between 2009 and 2024, with a total of 1,382 participants analyzed for sociability outcomes. Results indicated that sports games [SMD = 1.12, 95%CI (0.51, 1.73)], combination therapy [SMD = 1.11, 95%CI (0.13, 2.09)], group ball sports [SMD = 1.06, 95%CI (0.37, 1.75)], and outdoor exercise [SMD = 1.02, 95%CI (0.50, 1.55)] were more effective than passive controls. A total of 25 original literatures were included in the analysis of communication ability, involving 904 subjects, and the results showed that combination therapy [SMD = 1.57, 95% CI (0.74, 2.40)], sports games [SMD = 1.01, 95% CI (0.45, 1.56)], group ball games [SMD = 0.85, 95% CI (0.45, 1.26)], outdoor exercise [SMD = 0.79, 95% CI (0.48, 1.11)], and mind-body exercise [SMD = 0.79, 95% CI (0.29, 1.30)], all of which were more effective than passive controls. Conclusion Physical exercise plays a significant role in alleviating symptoms and enhancing sociability and communication in individuals with ASD. Our findings highlight that sports games, combination therapy, team ball sports, and outdoor exercise are particularly effective in improving sociability. In terms of communication skills, combination therapy, sports games, team ball sports, outdoor exercise, and mind-body exercise demonstrated the most substantial benefits. These results provide a robust foundation for future interventions aimed at improving the quality of life for individuals with ASD.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02210-wAutismAdolescentsChildrenNetwork meta-analysisPhysical exercise interventions |
| spellingShingle | Ruijie Kou Zixuan Li Ming Li Rui Zhou Feilong Zhu Weiqi Ruan Jia Zhang Comparative effectiveness of physical exercise interventions on sociability and communication in children and adolescents with autism: a systematic review and network meta-analysis BMC Psychology Autism Adolescents Children Network meta-analysis Physical exercise interventions |
| title | Comparative effectiveness of physical exercise interventions on sociability and communication in children and adolescents with autism: a systematic review and network meta-analysis |
| title_full | Comparative effectiveness of physical exercise interventions on sociability and communication in children and adolescents with autism: a systematic review and network meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Comparative effectiveness of physical exercise interventions on sociability and communication in children and adolescents with autism: a systematic review and network meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparative effectiveness of physical exercise interventions on sociability and communication in children and adolescents with autism: a systematic review and network meta-analysis |
| title_short | Comparative effectiveness of physical exercise interventions on sociability and communication in children and adolescents with autism: a systematic review and network meta-analysis |
| title_sort | comparative effectiveness of physical exercise interventions on sociability and communication in children and adolescents with autism a systematic review and network meta analysis |
| topic | Autism Adolescents Children Network meta-analysis Physical exercise interventions |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02210-w |
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