Effect of aerobic exercise on core symptoms and executive function in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of aerobic exercise on core symptoms and executive function in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). MethodsFrom June, 2020 to December, 2021, 64 children with ADHD at outpatient in Dushu Lake Hospital were randomly divided into control group (n = 32) and observation group (n = 32). The control group sat down and watched the cartoon for 20 minutes, and the observation group performed cycling exercise while watching the cartoon, for twelve weeks. The core symptoms were assessed with Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ), while the inhibition, conversion and refresh functions were assessed with the psychological test software E-Prime 2.0 system. ResultsAfter twelve weeks of treatment, the PSQ factor scores decreased in the observation group (t > 4.775, P < 0.001), and were lower than that of the the control group (t > 3.184, P < 0.001). The response time and accuracy of inhibition, conversion, and refresh functions decreased in the observation group (t > 2.259, P < 0.05), and were lower than that of the control group (t > 2.007, P < 0.05). ConclusionAerobic exercise could reduce the core symptoms of poor attention and hyperactivity impulsivity, and improve the executive functioning in children with ADHD.