JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent impairments in reciprocal social communication and social interaction and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interest or activities; as well as three levels of support for each domain: level 1, requiring support; level 2, requiring substantial support; and level 3, requiring very substantial support.

Objective:

This study investigated the acute effects of Exergames (EX) and Physical Education (PE) on inhibitory control in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Methods:

First, they underwent anthropometric assessment, the KTK and Raven’s tests, and familiarization with the cognitive task. They were then given two 20-minute sessions in random order: 1) Physical education session 153.8 bpm (95% CI 139.4, 168.0); exergames session 129.0 bpm (95% CI 121.8, 135.6). To assess inhibitory control, after 5 minutes of recovery, all participants completed a Flanker Task version and responded to the stimulus located in the central target in the middle of four identical congruent (fish facing the same direction) or incongruent (opposite direction) flanker stimuli, for a total of 108 trials.

Results:

The ANOVA indicated a difference in incongruent reaction time between the sessions, with a better result in the EX session 849 (95% CI 642, 1057) than in the PE session 938 (95% CI 684, 1191). These results indicate that just one 20-minute session of Exergames was effective in improving inhibitory control in children with ASD.

Conclusions:

Thus, a short period of this session during school can benefit inhibitory control, improving the cognitive capacity of children with ASD and thus contributing to be. Clinical Trial: This study was registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials - ReBEC under the number RBR-5r9xzbq.