Journal Article

Comparing the Effectiveness of Physical Exercise Intervention and Melatonin Supplement in Improving Sleep Quality in Children with ASD

Tse, Andy C. Y., Sit, Cindy H. P., Pang, Chi-Ling, Cheng, James C. H., Sun, F., Lee, Paul H., Poon, Eric Tsz-chun

2024

Overview

Purpose Previous studies have demonstrated that physical exercise can modulate the endogenous melatonin level in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and improve their sleep quality. However, it remains unclear whether physical exercise or melatonin supplement, or a combination of both, is more effective in improving sleep quality in this population. The purpose of this study is to answer this research question by comparing the effectiveness of three types of interventions (physical exercise vs. melatonin supplement or a combination of both) in improving sleep quality in children with ASD. Methods Sixty-two (62) children diagnosed with ASD were randomly assigned to one of four groups: cycling (n = 18), melatonin supplement (n = 14), a combination of both (n = 12), and placebo control group (n = 18). Four (4) sleep parameters (sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, sleep duration, and wake after sleep onset) were assessed. Results The results revealed a significant improvement in sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, and sleep duration in all of the interventions, but not in the placebo control group. However, no significant group differences were found among the interventions ( ps > . 05). Conclusion Our findings suggest similar effectiveness of physical exercise and melatonin supplementation in improving sleep quality in children with ASD.

• Publisher: Springer US,Springer,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Autism / Autism Spectrum Disorder - complications / Autism Spectrum Disorders / Autistic children / Behavioral Science and Psychology / Bicycles / Care and treatment / Child / Child and School Psychology / Child, Preschool / Children / Combined Modality Therapy / Comparative analysis / Control Groups / Dietary Supplements / Effectiveness / Endogenous / Exercise / Exercise - physiology / Exercise Therapy - methods / Female / Groups / Health aspects / Humans / Intervention / Latency / Male / Medical research / Medicine, Experimental / Melatonin / Melatonin - therapeutic use / Neurosciences / Original Paper / Pediatrics / Pervasive developmental disorders / Physiological aspects / Placebos / Population studies / Psychology / Public Health / Quality management / Sleep / Sleep - drug effects / Sleep - physiology / Sleep and wakefulness / Sleep Quality / Sleep Wake Disorders - drug therapy / Sleep Wake Disorders - therapy / Supplements / Treatment Outcome