The Effects of Exercise in Anxiety in Children With ASD

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Behavior; Anxiety
• Interventions: Other: Exercise

• Registration Number: NCT03860389
• Lead Sponsor: Institute of Technology, Carlow

Brief Summary

This study will examine the effects of a school based exercise programme on anxiety and behaviour levels in children with autism.

Detailed Description

This study will examine the effects of a school based exercise programme on anxiety and behaviour levels in children with autism. Local special autism schools and primary and secondary schools with specialised classes for children with autism will be approached to participate in the project. The age profile of the children will be 4-18 yrs of age and they will have mild-severe levels of autism. The exercise programme will delivered 3 times per week in the schools over periods of 8-16 weeks dependent on the severity of autism within the children.

Questionnaires will be given to the parents and teachers of the children at the beginning and at the end of the programme to assess changes in anxiety levels and behaviour as a result of the exercise programme.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2019-01-07
• Status Verified: 2019-02
• Study First Submitted: 2019-02-12
• Study First Submitted QC: 2019-02-28
• Last Update Submitted: 2019-02-28
• Study First Posted: 2019-03-01
• Last Update Posted: 2019-03-01
• Primary Completion: 2019-06-24
• Study Completion: 2019-12-16

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 50

Inclusion Criteria

• Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder

Exclusion Criteria

• Any medical condition which excludes the child from partaking in exercise

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Exercise effects on anxiety	Exercise	An exercise programme will be administered 3 times a week for up to an 16 week period of time in a school setting. Each exercise class will last 60 minutes. The exercise classes will involve aspects of fundamental movement skills and will be fun for the students to participate in.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Behaviour	Change from baseline at Week 8 and Week 16	Changes in the behaviour of the children will be assessed using the Nisingor Child Behaviour Rating Form
Anxiety	Change from baseline at Week 8 and Week 16	Changes in anxiety levels of the children will be assessed using the Anxiety Scale for Children -ASD.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Fitness level	Change from baseline at Week 8 and Week 16	The modified Eurofit test will be used to assess the fitness levels of children

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Sharon Kinsella; 🇮🇪 Carlow, Co. Carlow, Ireland