Diverse multi-week physical activity programs reduce ADHD symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis
- Forfatter(e)
- Bustamante, E. E. Balbim, G. M. Ramer, J. D. Santiago-Rodriguez, M. E. DuBois, D. L. Brunskill, A. Mehta, T. G.
- År
- 2022
- Tidsskrift
- Psychology of Sport and Exercise
- Sider
- 11
- Kategori(er)
- ADHD
- Tiltakstype(r)
- Fysisk aktivitet
- Abstract
Objective:
Physical activity (PA) has been proposed as an adjunct treatment and secondary prevention interovention for attention-deficit hyperactivity/impulsivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). However, meta-analyses testing effects on symptoms and functional impairment have yielded conflicting results.
Methods: A systematic search of eight databases yielded 15 randomized controlled trial and 2 quasi-experimental design studies-including N = 881 youth (M = 9.75 years, 71% male)-that tested the effects of multi-week PA programs on symptoms and impairment of children with [or at-risk for] ADHD and/or ODD.
Results: Random effects meta-analyses favored PA groups on omnibus ADHD measures (g = 0.42, 95%CI[-0.62;-0.21]), combined ADHD symptoms (g = 0.50, 95%CI[-0.82;-0.17]), inattention (g = 0.41,95%CI[-0.82; 0.00]), and hyperactivity/impulsivity (g = 0.30, 95%CI[-0.56;-0.04]). Heterogeneity was moderate across studies (I2 = 49%, 95%CI[12%-to-70%]). Significant differences favored PA programs whether inclusion required diagnosis, programs augmented frontline treatments, and active or passive comparison groups were utilized.
Conclusion: Diverse PA programs can reduce ADHD symptoms, especially where they intentionally pursue this end.