Effect of physical activities on cognition and the ability to perform a dual task in children with autism spectrum disorder: a randomized clinical trial

Mina Hashempour Alooche; Aliasghar Jamebozorgi; Alireza Akbarzadeh Baghban; Mahnaz Hejazi-Shirmard; Mohammad Amin Dehghan Manshadi

doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.05.015

Effect of physical activities on cognition and the ability to perform a dual task in children with autism spectrum disorder: a randomized clinical trial

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2025 Sep:43:416-423. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.05.015. Epub 2025 May 10.

Authors

Mina Hashempour Alooche¹, Aliasghar Jamebozorgi², Alireza Akbarzadeh Baghban³, Mahnaz Hejazi-Shirmard¹, Mohammad Amin Dehghan Manshadi¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
² Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: ass.bozorgi@yahoo.com.
³ Proteomics Research Center, Department of Biostatistics, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

PMID: 40483155
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.05.015

Abstract

Objective: To investigate effectiveness of physical activities on cognitive function and ability to perform a dual task in children with ASD.

Methods: This randomized clinical trial involved 30 children with high-functioning ASD, aged 6-12 years, who were randomly assigned to either experimental (n: 15) or control group (n: 15). The experimental group underwent 24 sessions of physical training aimed at improving balance, agility, central stability, and motor coordination (3 sessions per week), while control group continued with their rehabilitation routine services. Cognitive function was assessed using Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) questionnaire, forward and backward digit span tests before and after 4-week intervention. The ability to perform a dual task was evaluated through center of pressure (COP) parameters during static and dynamic balance tasks while performing the forward digit span test.

Results: All participants finished the study and analyzed. Following the intervention, experimental group exhibited a significant increase in BRIEF scores including inhibition, emotional control, planning/organization, working memory, and initiation, compared to control group. The experimental group demonstrated a significant improvement in backward digit span test, but not in forward item. For the ability to perform a dual task based on static balance, experimental group showed a significant reduction in medial-lateral/anterior-posterior displacements, and area sway of COP on non-dominant leg with eyes closed, compared to the control group.

Conclusion: Physical exercises have the potential to enhance cognitive function in autistic children. Despite the lack of a large difference between the groups in dual-task performance, physical exercises may effectively improve balance during such tasks.

Keywords: Autism; Balance; Cognition; Dual task; Physical exercises.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Autism Spectrum Disorder* / physiopathology
Autism Spectrum Disorder* / psychology
Autism Spectrum Disorder* / rehabilitation
Child
Cognition* / physiology
Executive Function / physiology
Exercise Therapy* / methods
Exercise* / physiology
Female
Humans
Male
Memory, Short-Term / physiology
Postural Balance / physiology
Psychomotor Performance / physiology