Xu Decheng, Sun Zhiyuan, Yang Yahui, Cai Kelong, Zhu Lina, Qi Kai, Liu Zhimei, Shi Yifan, Liu Yufei, Qiao Zhiyuan, Jiang Luanyue, Chen Aiguo
College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225127, China.
Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, 80-336, Poland.
J Autism Dev Disord. 2024 Sep 18. doi: 10.1007/s10803-024-06555-4.
Sleep problems significantly affect the quality of life of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 12-week ball combination exercise, continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) stimulation, and combined intervention on sleep problems in children with ASD. Forty-five ASD children were divided into three intervention groups (ball combination exercise(n = 12), cTBS stimulation(n = 10), combined (n = 12) and a control group (n = 11). The intervention groups underwent intervention, while the control group maintained daily activities. The effects were assessed using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) scale. The results revealed that after 12 weeks of intervention, three programs reduced sleep problems in children with ASD. The post-test scores of the cTBS group (p = 0.002) and the combined group (p < 0.001) were significantly lower than the baseline scores on the CSHQ scale. The exercise group (p = 0.002) and the combined group (p < 0.001) showed significant improvement in sleep anxiety, while there was no statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of the three interventions for sleep-onset delay. The combined group outperformed the single intervention groups in the CSHQ score and sleep anxiety sub-dimensions. The combined intervention group showed slightly superior performance in sleep onset latency, however, there was no significant difference. Three interventions alleviated sleep issues in ASD children, with the combined method proving more effective. This study validates non-pharmacologic and combined approaches for ASD sleep problems. Future research should delve deeper into the mechanisms of these interventions in ASD children's sleep improvement.
睡眠问题严重影响自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）儿童的生活质量。本研究旨在评估为期12周的球类组合运动、连续theta爆发刺激（cTBS）以及联合干预对ASD儿童睡眠问题的影响。45名ASD儿童被分为三个干预组（球类组合运动组（n = 组12）、cTBS刺激组（n = 组10）、联合干预组（n = 组12））和一个对照组（n = 组11）。干预组接受干预，而对照组维持日常活动。使用儿童睡眠习惯问卷（CSHQ）量表评估效果。结果显示，经过12周的干预，三个项目都减少了ASD儿童的睡眠问题。cTBS组（p = 0.002）和联合干预组（p < 0.001）的测试后得分在CSHQ量表上显著低于基线得分。运动组（p = 0.002）和联合干预组（p < 0.001）在睡眠焦虑方面有显著改善，而三种干预措施在入睡延迟效果上没有统计学显著差异。联合干预组在CSHQ得分和睡眠焦虑子维度上优于单一干预组。联合干预组在入睡潜伏期表现略优，但无显著差异。三种干预措施都缓解了ASD儿童的睡眠问题，联合方法证明更有效。本研究验证了针对ASD睡眠问题的非药物和联合方法。未来研究应更深入地探究这些干预措施对ASD儿童睡眠改善的机制。
