Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing, China.
School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
BMC Psychol. 2024 Nov 30;12(1):712. doi: 10.1186/s40359-024-02210-w.
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.
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.
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.
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.
为了探究身体活动作为自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的重要干预手段的疗效，我们进行了一项网络荟萃分析，以评估各种运动干预对 ASD 患者社交和沟通能力的影响。我们旨在确定最有助于提高这些基本技能的运动方式。
我们检索了 Web of Science、PubMed、Cochrane 图书馆、Scopus、Embase 和中国的数据库，检索时间从建库至 2024 年 4 月。我们纳入了评估不同运动类型对 ASD 患者社交和沟通能力影响的随机对照试验。使用频率论方法进行网络荟萃分析（NMA），并应用节点分裂法评估不一致性。
我们纳入了 2009 年至 2024 年期间发表的 38 项原始研究，共有 1382 名参与者的社交能力结果进行了分析。结果表明，运动游戏[SMD=1.12，95%CI（0.51，1.73)]、综合疗法[SMD=1.11，95%CI（0.13，2.09)]、团体球类运动[SMD=1.06，95%CI（0.37，1.75)]和户外运动[SMD=1.02，95%CI（0.50，1.55)]比被动对照组更有效。共有 25 项原始文献纳入了沟通能力的分析，涉及 904 名受试者，结果表明，综合疗法[SMD=1.57，95%CI（0.74，2.40)]、运动游戏[SMD=1.01，95%CI（0.45，1.56)]、团体球类运动[SMD=0.85，95%CI（0.45，1.26)]、户外运动[SMD=0.79，95%CI（0.48，1.11)]和身心运动[SMD=0.79，95%CI（0.29，1.30)]均比被动对照组更有效。
身体活动在缓解 ASD 患者的症状和提高其社交和沟通能力方面发挥着重要作用。我们的研究结果表明，运动游戏、综合疗法、团体球类运动和户外运动对提高社交能力特别有效。在沟通技能方面，综合疗法、运动游戏、团体球类运动、户外运动和身心运动的效果最为显著。这些结果为未来旨在提高 ASD 患者生活质量的干预措施提供了有力的依据。
