Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Effects of Systematic Exercise Training on Core Symptoms, Executive Function and Brain Function in Children With ASD
Sponsor: Chen Li
Summary
Studies have shown that children with ASD simultaneously have deficits in overall executive function and impairments in basic motor skills, which have a negative impact on cognitive and social all-round development. In recent years, intervention measures for the motor skills of children with ASD have gradually developed. However, based on the existing literature, there is still a lack of recommendations for sports training at present. The sustained effect of exercise intervention training on the core symptoms of ASD remains unclear. In terms of executive function, there are relatively few studies on the executive function of preschool children. The impact of motor training on working memory in school-aged children is still inconsistent. Furthermore, the connection characteristics of different brain regions in children with ASD after physical training remain unclear. This study will include 70 children with ASD aged 3 to 9 years for a multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT). These children will be randomly assigned to the intervention group (Child-Parent-Trainer program) and the control group (regular physical education program) for 12 weeks, 5 days/week, 60 minutes/day training. Children's core symptoms, executive function, child/family quality of life, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) were assessed at baseline (training weeks 0) and endpoints (training weeks 13 and 17), respectively. To verify the improvement effect of this exercise program on the autism severity, core symptoms and executive functions of children with ASD, as well as its impact on family quality of life. Furthermore, through fNIRS for monitoring changes in brain function, the potential neural physiological mechanisms will be explored.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
3 Years - 9 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
70
Start Date
2025-08
Completion Date
2028-06
Last Updated
2025-08-14
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
The Child-Parent- Trainer exercise program
The Child-Parent-Trainer exercise program is a 12-week exercise training program, which is based on the sensory and cognitive needs of children with ASD, multiple game forms are integrated to form a multi-sensory intervention model. The exercise program is developed according to the types of exercise recommended in the Exercise Guidelines for Preschool Children of China, including the development of basic motor skills, such as physical movement, posture control, object control; development of important physical qualities, such as agility, balance, coordination. The training program for different age group consists of physical movement items, object control items and limb coordination items. The exercise intensity is moderate.
The regular physical training
The regular physical training courses will last for 12 weeks. It is training in motor skills and fine motor skills. The items include passing the ball, lifting small dumbbells, running, handicrafts, etc. There is no requirement for the intensity of the exercise.
Locations (1)
Growth, Development and Mental health of Children and Adolescence Center
Chongqing, Chongqing Municipality, China