The Effects of Exercise in Anxiety in Children With ASD

The Effects of a School Based Exercise Programme on Behaviour and Anxiety in Children With ASD

Status

UNKNOWN

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT03860389

Enrollment

Registered

2019-03-01

Start date

2019-01-07

Completion date

2019-12-16

Last updated

2019-03-01

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Behavior

Keywords

Autism, Anxiety, Exercise, Behaviour

Brief summary

This study will examine the effects of a school based exercise programme on anxiety and behaviour levels in children with autism.

Detailed description

This study will examine the effects of a school based exercise programme on anxiety and behaviour levels in children with autism. Local special autism schools and primary and secondary schools with specialised classes for children with autism will be approached to participate in the project. The age profile of the children will be 4-18 yrs of age and they will have mild-severe levels of autism. The exercise programme will delivered 3 times per week in the schools over periods of 8-16 weeks dependent on the severity of autism within the children. Questionnaires will be given to the parents and teachers of the children at the beginning and at the end of the programme to assess changes in anxiety levels and behaviour as a result of the exercise programme.

Interventions

OTHERExercise

An exercise programme will be delivered in the school for a period of up to 16 weeks. Exercise classes will take place 3 times a week and will be of 60 minutes duration.

Study design

Allocation

Intervention model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

4 Years to 18 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder

Exclusion criteria

* Any medical condition which excludes the child from partaking in exercise

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Anxiety	Change from baseline at Week 8 and Week 16	Changes in anxiety levels of the children will be assessed using the Anxiety Scale for Children -ASD.
Behaviour	Change from baseline at Week 8 and Week 16	Changes in the behaviour of the children will be assessed using the Nisingor Child Behaviour Rating Form

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Fitness level	Change from baseline at Week 8 and Week 16	The modified Eurofit test will be used to assess the fitness levels of children

Countries

Ireland

Contacts

Primary ContactSharon Kinsella, PhD.

sharon.kinsella@itcarlow.ie+353599175515

Backup ContactMarie Carey, BSc.

mariec1995@gmail.com

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026