The impact of the physical activity intervention on sleep in children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: The purpose of this review was to synthesize the current literature on the relationship between sleep and physical activity in children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders. Methods<: Articles were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Cochrane, and Embase until April 2024. The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3. Results: Our results show that measuring sleep parameters by means of different measuring tools yields different results. Most studies have found no association between sleep and physical activity in children with neurodevelopmental disorders, especially when measured subjectively, such as parent reports and sleep logs. Physical activity interventions had a significant effect on sleep efficiency, wake after sleep onset, and sleep duration when measured objectively using instruments such as wrist actigraphy. Meta-analysis showed that children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders who participated in mind-body activities (SMD = -3.01, 95%CI = -4.15~-1.87, p < 0.001, I² = 99%) showed significant improvements in sleep, which were sessions lasting more than 12 weeks (SMD = -1.01, p < 0.01, I² = 97%), performed at least 3 times per week (SMD = -0.81, 95%CI = -1.53~-0.10, p = 0.03, I² = 95%), and lasted for more than 60 min per session (SMD = -1.55, 95%CI = -2.67~-0.43, p = 0.007, I² = 97%). However, the results of these subgroup analyses must be interpreted with caution because of the small number of studies included. Conclusion: Our results show that measuring sleep parameters by means of different measuring tools yields different results. There was difficulty in interpreting many of the studies included in this meta-analysis, in view of the non-standardization of protocol, especially the ability range of the cohort, duration of the study, recommended exercises, whether the caregivers or researchers supervised the exercise regime/activity, and the practicality of continuing the exercise long-term by caregivers. Systematic review registration: Identifier, CRD42024541300.