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Cognitively Enhanced Tai Chi for Executive Function in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Sponsor: Jinan University Guangzhou
Summary
This study compares three exercise courses for children aged 8-11 years with autism spectrum disorder: Tai Chi with added cognitive challenges, standard Tai Chi, and general exercise. The main question is whether adding cognitive challenges to the same adapted Tai Chi movements improves inhibitory control, working memory and cognitive flexibility more than standard Tai Chi. General exercise provides an active comparison. The planned enrollment target was 165 children. Recruitment has closed with 158 eligible children enrolled. Children were individually randomized within their original school classrooms using a target allocation ratio of 2:2:1. All groups continued their usual necessary educational, rehabilitation and medical services. Courses took place at Chaozhou Special Education School. Each group received 72 sessions over 6 calendar months: 24 teaching weeks, 3 sessions per week, and 45 minutes per session, from December 25, 2025 to June 25, 2026. Children attended supported training groups of 4-6, and follow-up continued for 3 months after the courses ended, with visits 1 month (month 7) and 3 months (month 9) later. The three primary outcomes are accuracy on the existing short Flanker, 1-back and Dimensional Change Card Sort tasks at month 6. Trained computerized-task assessors were kept unaware of course allocation. Supportive secondary outcomes are task reaction times, selected parent and teacher Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory scores, and the parent Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire impact score. Computerized tasks and the Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory were collected at baseline and months 3, 6, 7 and 9. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was completed at baseline and month 6.
Official title: Cognitively Enhanced Tai Chi for Executive Function in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Three-Arm Assessor-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
8 Years - 11 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
158
Start Date
2025-12-24
Completion Date
2026-09-25
Last Updated
2026-10-13
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Cognitively Enhanced Tai Chi
Participants took part in the cognitively enhanced Tai Chi course: the same adapted six-movement library as standard Tai Chi, with added predictable start/pause cues, short action-sequence retention, and preannounced neutral-symbol rule changes. Cognitive difficulty was adjusted individually, with at most two action cards, a delay up to 5 seconds, or one rule change. The course ran over 24 teaching weeks, 3 sessions per week and 45 minutes per session (72 sessions) within 6 calendar months, followed by 3 months of follow-up. Usual education, rehabilitation and medical care continued.
Standard Tai Chi
Participants took part in the standard Tai Chi course: the same adapted six-movement library as the cognitively enhanced course, taught with visible demonstrations and a fixed visible action-sequence strip, and without added delayed-recall or arbitrary rule-switching tasks. The course ran over 24 teaching weeks, 3 sessions per week and 45 minutes per session (72 sessions) within 6 calendar months, followed by 3 months of follow-up. Usual education, rehabilitation and medical care continued.
General Exercise
Participants took part in an active general exercise course with predictable walking or stepping, gentle sandbag placement or throwing, ball rolling, and adapted basic strengthening, delivered with fixed order and visible demonstrations. The course ran over 24 teaching weeks, 3 sessions per week and 45 minutes per session (72 sessions) within 6 calendar months, followed by 3 months of follow-up. Usual education, rehabilitation and medical care continued.
Locations (1)
Chaozhou Special Education School
Chaozhou, Gaungdong, China