Tests an exercise program for children with autism spectrum disorder
Tests a structured exercise program in children aged 3 to 9 with autism.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Effects of Systematic Exercise Training on Core Symptoms, Executive Function and Brain Function in Children With ASD
Key facts
- Where
- Chongqing, ChinaSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 3 and 9 years old?
Source: NCT07104708, who can take part
Where in China
- Growth, Development and Mental health of Children and Adolescence CenterChongqing, ChinaNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Chen Li
- Trial code
- NCT07104708
- Record updated
- 14 August 2025
- Original description
Studies have shown that children with ASD simultaneously have deficits in overall executive function and impairments in basic motor skills, which have a negative impact on cognitive and social all-round development. In recent years, intervention measures for the motor skills of children with ASD have gradually developed. However, based on the existing literature, there is still a lack of recommendations for sports training at present. The sustained effect of exercise intervention training on the core symptoms of ASD remains unclear. In terms of executive function, there are relatively few studies on the executive function of preschool children. The impact of motor training on working memory in school-aged children is still inconsistent. Furthermore, the connection characteristics of different brain regions in children with ASD after physical training remain unclear. This study will include 70 children with ASD aged 3 to 9 years for a multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT). These children will be randomly assigned to the intervention group (Child-Parent-Trainer program) and the control group (regular physical education program) for 12 weeks, 5 days/week, 60 minutes/day training. Children's core symptoms, executive function, child/family quality of life, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) were assessed at baseline (training weeks 0) and endpoints (training weeks 13 and 17), respectively. To verify the improvement effect of this exercise program on the autism severity, core symptoms and executive functions of children with ASD, as well as its impact on family quality of life. Furthermore, through fNIRS for monitoring changes in brain function, the potential neural physiological mechanisms will be explored.Read full original descriptionShow less
Effects of Systematic Exercise Training on Core Symptoms, Executive Function and Brain Function in Children With ASD
Studies have shown that children with ASD simultaneously have deficits in overall executive function and impairments in basic motor skills, which have a negative impact on cognitive and social all-round development. In recent years, intervention measures for the motor skills of children with ASD have gradually developed. However, based on the existing literature, there is still a lack of recommendations for sports training at present. The sustained effect of exercise intervention training on the core symptoms of ASD remains unclear. In terms of executive function, there are relatively few studies on the executive function of preschool children. The impact of motor training on working memory in school-aged children is still inconsistent. Furthermore, the connection characteristics of different brain regions in children with ASD after physical training remain unclear. This study will include 70 children with ASD aged 3 to 9 years for a multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT). These children will be randomly assigned to the intervention group (Child-Parent-Trainer program) and the control group (regular physical education program) for 12 weeks, 5 days/week, 60 minutes/day training. Children's core symptoms, executive function, child/family quality of life, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) were assessed at baseline (training weeks 0) and endpoints (training weeks 13 and 17), respectively. To verify the improvement effect of this exercise program on the autism severity, core symptoms and executive functions of children with ASD, as well as its impact on family quality of life. Furthermore, through fNIRS for monitoring changes in brain function, the potential neural physiological mechanisms will be explored.
Inclusion: Age: 3-9 years old; Meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria for ASD, And hold a certificate of ASD diagnosis issued by a Tertiary A hospital; Borderline/normal intelligence or mild intellectual disability; No serious behavior or emotional problems; Able to simply ask and answer questions; Be able to proactively express the need to use the toilet; There are no physical impairments that affected participation in physical activities, and participants are able to cooperate to complete the intervention; Informed parental consent.
Exclusion: Vision/ hearing disorders, schizophrenia, emotional disorders, mental retardation, Rett syndrome and other developmental disorders; Medical conditions that limit the ability to be physically active, such as asthma, epilepsy, heart disease, and the acute phase after a fracture; History of head trauma, physical disability, major organ disease, or severe musculoskeletal injury in the past two years; Those who have participated in physical exercise regularly within the last 6 months; Participants who changed treatment intervention midway after inclusion; Unable to cooperate with persistent completion of intervention.