Efficacy of Group-Based Organised Physical Activity Participation for Social Outcomes in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
- Forfatter(e)
- Howells, K. Sivaratnam, C. May, T. Lindor, E. McGillivray, J. Rinehart, N.
- År
- 2019
- Tidsskrift
- Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders
- Sider
- 17
- Kategori(er)
- Autismespekter Sosiale ferdigheter (inkl. vennerelasjoner)
- Tiltakstype(r)
- Fysisk aktivitet
- Abstract
The aim of this novel review and meta-analysis was to clarify the effects of group-based organised physical activity (OPA) for social and communicative outcomes in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Searches yielded 4347 articles.
Eleven were identified for review and seven for meta-analysis. Pooled statistical results revealed a non-significant effect for communication (k = 4; g = 0.13, CI [- 0.12, 0.38], p = .13) and a significant small-medium improvement in overall social functioning (k = 6; g = 0.45, CI [0.19, 0.72], p = .001).
Despite acknowledged limitations, these findings are important in the context of a growing clinical and consumer-driven demand for research that determines the role of OPA as a non-medical and inclusive treatment for children with ASD.