Hirose Norikazu, Tashiro Yuki, Takasaki Tomoya
Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Tokyo 202-0021, Japan.
Gotoschool Inc., Tokyo 150-0043, Japan.
Children (Basel). 2025 Jul 28;12(8):987. doi: 10.3390/children12080987.
Retained primitive reflexes are associated with delayed motor and behavioral development in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study examined the effects of a 12-week structured exercise intervention on reflex integration, motor coordination, and socio-behavioral outcomes in these populations. Fifteen children with ASD (13 boys, 2 girls) and twelve with ADHD (8 boys, 4 girls), aged 6-12 years, participated in rhythmic, balance, and coordination-based exercises. Primitive reflexes, including the asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (ATNR), were assessed using standardized protocols, and fine motor coordination was evaluated using the Finger and Thumb Opposition Test (FOT). Behavioral outcomes were measured using the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2) for the ASD group and the Conners 3 for the ADHD group. The ASD group showed significant reductions in left-standing ATNR retention scores ( = 0.012) and improvements in right-hand FOT scores ( = 0.023). In the ADHD group, significant improvements were also observed in right-hand FOT scores ( = 0.007). Furthermore, Conners 3 Total and Global Index scores significantly decreased in the ADHD group ( = 0.016 and 0.020, respectively). Reflex retention patterns appeared broader and more bilateral in ASD than in ADHD, suggesting distinct motor developmental profiles. Short-term rhythmic, balance, and whole-body coordination exercise interventions may support behavioral and motor development in children with ASD and ADHD. Tailored programs emphasizing reflex integration hold promise for clinical and educational applications.
在自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）和注意力缺陷多动障碍（ADHD）儿童中，原始反射的持续存在与运动和行为发育迟缓有关。本研究考察了为期12周的结构化运动干预对这些人群反射整合、运动协调和社会行为结果的影响。15名年龄在6至12岁的ASD儿童（13名男孩，2名女孩）和12名ADHD儿童（8名男孩，4名女孩）参与了基于节奏、平衡和协调的运动。使用标准化方案评估包括不对称性紧张性颈反射（ATNR）在内的原始反射，并使用手指和拇指对指试验（FOT）评估精细运动协调。使用社会反应量表-2（SRS-2）测量ASD组的行为结果，使用康纳斯儿童行为量表第三版（Conners 3）测量ADHD组的行为结果。ASD组左侧站立时的ATNR持续存在得分显著降低（P = 0.012），右手FOT得分有所改善（P = 0.023）。在ADHD组中，右手FOT得分也有显著改善（P = 0.007）。此外，ADHD组的康纳斯儿童行为量表第三版总分和综合指数得分显著下降（分别为P = 0.016和0.020）。与ADHD相比，ASD的反射持续存在模式似乎更广泛且更具双侧性，表明存在不同的运动发育特征。短期的节奏、平衡和全身协调运动干预可能有助于ASD和ADHD儿童的行为和运动发育。强调反射整合的定制方案在临床和教育应用方面具有前景。
