The effect of water-based intervention on sleep habits and two sleep-related cytokines in children with autism

Soleyman Ansari; Fahimeh AdibSaber; Alireza Elmieh; Shahram Gholamrezaei

doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2021.03.045

The effect of water-based intervention on sleep habits and two sleep-related cytokines in children with autism

Sleep Med. 2021 Jun:82:78-83. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2021.03.045. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Authors

Soleyman Ansari¹, Fahimeh AdibSaber², Alireza Elmieh³, Shahram Gholamrezaei⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Education, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran. Electronic address: solomonansari@yahoo.com.
² Department of Physical Education, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran. Electronic address: adibsaber@iaurasht.ac.ir.
³ Department of Physical Education, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran. Electronic address: elmieh1592@yahoo.com.
⁴ Department of Physical Education, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran. Electronic address: gholamrezaei@iaurasht.ac.ir.

PMID: 33906043
DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2021.03.045

Abstract

Objective: Previous studies have shown that children with autism have sleep disturbances and elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of aquatic exercise on sleep habits and two certain sleep-related cytokines of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Methods: Forty boys with ASD (aged 6-14) were recruited and randomly assigned to an aquatic exercise (n = 20) or a control group (n = 20). Participants in aquatic exercise group performed water-based activities for 10 weeks/2 sessions per week/60 min, while control group didn't get any intervention. The serum levels of Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and sleep quality were measured before and after the intervention.

Results: Results revealed that aquatic exercise may improve sleep quality and reduce the serum levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in children with ASD compared to control group.

Conclusions: Overall, it is recommended that physicians and educators should provide a safe and effective exercise environment for ASD children to alleviate sleep issues and inflammatory biomarkers.

Keywords: Aquatic training; Children with autism; Inflammatory cytokines; Sleep habits.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Autism Spectrum Disorder* / complications
Autism Spectrum Disorder* / therapy
Autistic Disorder*
Child
Cytokines
Humans
Male
Sleep
Sleep Wake Disorders* / therapy
Water

Substances

Cytokines
Water