Structured physical exercise interventions and children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

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Sun, F., Fang, Y., Chan, C.K.M., Poon, E.T.C., Chung, L.M.Y., Or, P.P.L., Chen, Y. and Cooper, S.B. ORCID: 0000-0001-5219-5020, 2023. Structured physical exercise interventions and children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Child: Care, Health and Development. ISSN 0305-1862

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.13150

Abstract

Background: The efficacy of structured physical exercise (SPE) has been examined in empirical studies to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This review aimed (i) to systematically review and quantify the effects of SPE on ADHD symptomology and executive function (primary outcomes), and on physical health, physical fitness, and mental health issues (secondary outcomes) in children/adolescents with ADHD; (ii) to evaluate the study quality and explore moderation of the effects of SPE; and (iii) to summarize the design of SPE interventions.

Methods: An extensive literature search in the databases of PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCOhost was conducted to identify eligible intervention studies for meta-analysis. A descriptive account of the features of the studies are provided, including assessment of risk/quality (ROB-2/ROBINS-I). Standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated with random effects models to compare post-intervention effects.

Results: A total of 18 studies were included in the review. The majority of the studies examined the effects of SPE lasting for 3-12 weeks. Assessment of bias/quality indicated half of the included studies as high quality. The meta-analysis (pooled n=627) revealed that SPE had a positive effect on primary and secondary outcomes, i.e., inattention (SMD=-1.79), executive function (SMD=2.19), physical fitness (SMD=1.39), and mental health issues (SMD=-0.89). Subgroup analysis showed that long-term practice of SPE, featured/tailored SPE, non-Chinese participants, taking methylphenidate, and study with low quality had larger effects.

Conclusions: There is emerging evidence that SPE is a promising option to enhance symptom management and physical/mental health in children/adolescents with ADHD.

Item Type:

Journal article

Publication Title:

Child: Care, Health and Development

Creators:

Sun, F., Fang, Y., Chan, C.K.M., Poon, E.T.C., Chung, L.M.Y., Or, P.P.L., Chen, Y. and Cooper, S.B.

Publisher:

Wiley

Date:

11 July 2023

ISSN:

0305-1862