The efficacy of physical exercise interventions on mental health, cognitive function, and ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents with ADHD: an umbrella review

The efficacy of physical exercise interventions on mental health, cognitive function, and ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents with ADHD: an umbrella review

Authors
Dastamooz, S. Sadeghi-Bahmani, D. Farahani, M. H. D. Wong, S. H. S. Yam, J. C. S. Tham, C. C. Y. Sit, C. H. P.
Year
2023
Journal
EClinicalMedicine
Volume
62
Pages
102137
Background: A considerable number of published reviews have addressed the effects of physical exercise on mental health, cognitive function, or attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) symptoms as outcomes in children and adolescents with ADHD. Their findings have often conflicted, therefore, there is an urgent need to synthesise a hierarchy of the evidence and examine the credibility of previous meta-analyses. To establish the robustness of these findings, we conducted an additional meta-analysis on a number of individual studies that were not covered in previous reviews but were suitable for inclusion in our own study. Methods: Three reviewers independently searched Web of Science, Psych INFO, Embase, Cochrane Library, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) for meta-analyses published between database inceptions to December 1, 2022. The individual studies were also screened from 1 January 2015 to 1 December 2022. We included meta-analyses and eligible individual studies that addressed the effects of exercise on at least one outcome of mental health, cognitive function, or ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents with ADHD. We excluded systematic reviews and articles that lacked sufficient data for a meaningful second analysis. The effect estimates (Hedges' g), 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 95% prediction interval (95% PI), small study effects, and excess significance bias were calculated. Finally, we categorised the meta-analyses based on the credibility of the evidence criteria and their quality using a Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 checklist. This umbrella review was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42022361331. Findings: Of 181 listed review articles and 60 individual papers, 10 reviews and 12 individual articles were included in the meta-analyses. This yielded 37 meta-analyses based on 106 study estimates. Evidence was highly suggestive for the effectiveness of exercise (class II) for improving inattention (G = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.44-1.39, 95%), inhibitory control (G = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.52-1.13), and cognitive flexibility (G = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.32-0.72). However, evidence for the effectiveness of exercise on emotional, social, and working memory outcomes was weak, and these results were not significant for hyperactivity and behavioural functioning. Interpretation: Improvement of cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, and inattention in children and adolescents with ADHD was highly suggested by exercise interventions. However, results were weak for other outcomes (emotional functioning, social functioning, and working memory). Further high-quality randomised controlled trials are, therefore, warranted to determine the effectiveness of exercise on weak outcomes. Funding: None.

Oversett med Google Translate
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Type of intervention

Treatment and Child Welfare Interventions

Topic

Mental Health Problems and Disorders

ADHD

Development and Life Coping Skills

Cognition

Social skills

Intervention

Public Health Interventions

Physical Activity

Age group

School Aged Children (6-12 years)

Adolescents (13-18 years)

Characteristics

Overviews of Reviews

More information
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