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Improved executive function and sleep quality in preteens with high-functioning autism following a structured physical activity program

Richter, Miriam LU ; Taylor, Marie K LU orcid ; Åkerlund, Sofia LU ; Backman, Sofia LU ; Krili, Sofia ; Johansson, Björn Axel LU ; Rask, Olof LU orcid and Ekdahl, Christine T LU (2025) In Frontiers in Psychiatry 16.
Abstract

PURPOSE: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently exhibit atypical cognitive profiles, sensory processing challenges, sleep disturbances, and co-occurring psychiatric and somatic conditions. This exploratory prospective study, with a single-arm pre-post design, investigated the effects of a 10-12 weeks structured physical activity program on psychological symptoms, cognitive function, and sleep in children aged 10-14 years with high-functioning ASD.

METHODS: Pre- and post-intervention assessments included parent-reported questionnaires, computerized cognitive testing using Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), and actigraphy-based sleep-wake monitoring.

RESULTS: Sixteen children... (More)

PURPOSE: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently exhibit atypical cognitive profiles, sensory processing challenges, sleep disturbances, and co-occurring psychiatric and somatic conditions. This exploratory prospective study, with a single-arm pre-post design, investigated the effects of a 10-12 weeks structured physical activity program on psychological symptoms, cognitive function, and sleep in children aged 10-14 years with high-functioning ASD.

METHODS: Pre- and post-intervention assessments included parent-reported questionnaires, computerized cognitive testing using Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), and actigraphy-based sleep-wake monitoring.

RESULTS: Sixteen children completed the intervention (n = 12 boys; median age 11.5 years). Following the intervention, parents reported improvements in executive functioning as measured by the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, and in sensory processing as assessed by the Child Sensory Profile. Objective cognitive testing indicated tentative improvements in executive functioning, particularly in planning and problem-solving, on the Stockings of Cambridge (SOC) task in CANTAB. Actigraphy data indicated improved sleep quality, reflected by a reduced fragmentation index.

CONCLUSION: A structured physical activity program may improve executive functioning (as perceived by parents and supported by objective testing), enhance sensory processing, and improve sleep quality in children with high-functioning ASD who are not regularly physically active.

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author
; ; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Frontiers in Psychiatry
volume
16
article number
1726809
publisher
Frontiers Media S. A.
external identifiers
  • scopus:105034516189
  • pmid:41918789
ISSN
1664-0640
DOI
10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1726809
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Copyright © 2026 Richter, Taylor, Åkerlund, Backman, Krili, Johansson, Rask and Ekdahl.
id
bf189198-6f93-4bfb-b103-5e953217e043
date added to LUP
2026-04-02 09:06:40
date last changed
2026-08-25 18:00:23
@article{bf189198-6f93-4bfb-b103-5e953217e043,
  abstract     = {{<p>PURPOSE: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently exhibit atypical cognitive profiles, sensory processing challenges, sleep disturbances, and co-occurring psychiatric and somatic conditions. This exploratory prospective study, with a single-arm pre-post design, investigated the effects of a 10-12 weeks structured physical activity program on psychological symptoms, cognitive function, and sleep in children aged 10-14 years with high-functioning ASD.</p><p>METHODS: Pre- and post-intervention assessments included parent-reported questionnaires, computerized cognitive testing using Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), and actigraphy-based sleep-wake monitoring.</p><p>RESULTS: Sixteen children completed the intervention (n = 12 boys; median age 11.5 years). Following the intervention, parents reported improvements in executive functioning as measured by the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, and in sensory processing as assessed by the Child Sensory Profile. Objective cognitive testing indicated tentative improvements in executive functioning, particularly in planning and problem-solving, on the Stockings of Cambridge (SOC) task in CANTAB. Actigraphy data indicated improved sleep quality, reflected by a reduced fragmentation index.</p><p>CONCLUSION: A structured physical activity program may improve executive functioning (as perceived by parents and supported by objective testing), enhance sensory processing, and improve sleep quality in children with high-functioning ASD who are not regularly physically active.</p>}},
  author       = {{Richter, Miriam and Taylor, Marie K and Åkerlund, Sofia and Backman, Sofia and Krili, Sofia and Johansson, Björn Axel and Rask, Olof and Ekdahl, Christine T}},
  issn         = {{1664-0640}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Frontiers Media S. A.}},
  series       = {{Frontiers in Psychiatry}},
  title        = {{Improved executive function and sleep quality in preteens with high-functioning autism following a structured physical activity program}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1726809}},
  doi          = {{10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1726809}},
  volume       = {{16}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}