1
|
G Bragg M, Vesey O, Chavarro JE, Hart JE, Tabb LP, Weisskopf MG, Croen LA, Fallin D, Hertz-Picciotto I, Newschaffer C, Schmidt RJ, Volk H, Lyall K. Characterizing self-reported physical activity before and during a subsequent pregnancy among parents in a familial autism cohort. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2024:13623613241273034. [PMID: 39235189 DOI: 10.1177/13623613241273034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Parents of autistic children may have limited time and resources to participate in physical activity, a key aspect of health. Previous studies have been small and included mostly mothers, rather than fathers. No studies have examined physical activity in these parents during another pregnancy, when physical activity is especially important for maternal and fetal health. We aimed to fill this gap by examining physical activity levels among mothers and fathers caring for an autistic child before and during a subsequent pregnancy. We used data from a study which followed pregnant individuals who already had a child with autism. We asked mothers and fathers to report their levels of moderate and vigorous physical activity. We found that mothers and fathers of autistic children reported lower physical activity levels than the national average and were unlikely to meet Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Pregnant mothers were the least likely to participate in physical activity, particularly if their autistic child scored highly on a measure of autistic traits. Given that parental physical activity has benefits for parents and children, family-based interventions may be needed to help support parents' physical activity levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jaime E Hart
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, USA
- Harvard Medical School, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Garcia JM, Hahs-Vaughn D, Murray M, Perry C, Brazendale K, Rice DJ, Fukuda DH. The physical and psychosocial benefits of a family judo program for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A pilot study. Disabil Health J 2024; 17:101631. [PMID: 38702229 DOI: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2024.101631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) tend to have high levels of stress and poor health habits. There is a lack of interventions that focus on improving health outcomes in parents of children with ASD. OBJECTIVE To examine the physical and psychosocial effects of a family-based judo program on parents of children diagnosed with ASD. METHODS This study utilized a pre-post single group design. Eighteen parent-child dyads participated in a 14-week judo program for families of children with ASD. Judo sessions were held once a week for 45 min. Parents wore wrist accelerometers to assess physical activity/sleep quality, and completed surveys regarding self-reported stress levels pre- and post-judo. Parents also completed open-ended questions regarding their experience in the program. Paired sample t-tests were conducted to examine changes in stress, physical activity, and sleep quality from pre-to post-program. RESULTS Both a decrease in parental stress (47.77 vs. 41.61, p < 0.01) and an increase in minutes per day of physical activity (35.49 vs 45.94, p = 0.002) were observed from baseline to post-program. Fourteen of the 18 parents (78 %) reported at least one psychosocial benefit (e.g. increased self-confidence) or physical health benefit (e.g. increased physical activity) from participation in the program. CONCLUSIONS A family judo program may provide health benefits, such as reducing stress levels and increasing physical activity in parents of children with ASD. Further research involving larger sample sizes is necessary to better determine the effects of judo on both parents and their children with ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeanette M Garcia
- School of Sport Sciences, College of Applied Human Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA.
| | - Debbie Hahs-Vaughn
- College of Community Innovation and Education, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Michelle Murray
- Department of Heath Sciences, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Caitlyn Perry
- Department of Heath Sciences, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Keith Brazendale
- Department of Heath Sciences, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - David J Rice
- School of Sport Sciences, College of Applied Human Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - David H Fukuda
- School of Kinesiology and Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Belaiba M, Laatar R, Borji R, Ben Salem A, Sahli S, Rebai H. Time Limited Benefits of Physical and Proprioceptive Training on Physical Fitness Components in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders. Percept Mot Skills 2024; 131:785-804. [PMID: 38565219 DOI: 10.1177/00315125241244484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we explored the immediate and three-month follow-up effects of physical training on physical fitness in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We randomly assigned 20 children with ASD (age 8-11 years) into an experimental group (EG; n = 10) and a control group (CG; n = 10). The EG participated in an 8-week training program involving both strength and proprioceptive exercises (three 60-minute sessions/week), while the CG simply maintained their daily activities. We assessed physical fitness components for each participant at baseline, post-training, and at a 3-month follow-up. The physical training intervention significantly improved physical fitness of these children with ASD in terms of their flexibility (p < .001; 32.46%), lower limbs strength (p = .003; 36.98%), lower body power (p < .001; 41.78%) and functional mobility (p < .001; 25.56%). However, these addition training-induced gains were lost at follow-up for lower limbs strength (p < .001), flexibility (p < .001), and functional mobility (p = .034)). Physical training was effective for improving physical fitness in children with ASD, but the loss of these gains at three months follow-up underscored the need for continuous physical exercise.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Malek Belaiba
- Research Laboratory: Education, Motricité, Sport et Santé, EM2S, LR19JS01, High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Rabeb Laatar
- Research Laboratory: Education, Motricité, Sport et Santé, EM2S, LR19JS01, High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Rihab Borji
- Research Laboratory: Education, Motricité, Sport et Santé, EM2S, LR19JS01, High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Amani Ben Salem
- Research Laboratory: Education, Motricité, Sport et Santé, EM2S, LR19JS01, High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Sonia Sahli
- Research Laboratory: Education, Motricité, Sport et Santé, EM2S, LR19JS01, High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Haithem Rebai
- Tunisian Research Laboratory 'Sports Performance Optimization (LR09SEP01), National Center of Medicine and Science in Sports (CNMSS), Tunis, Tunisia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dai Y, Chen M, Deng T, Huang B, Ji Y, Feng Y, Liu S, Zhang L. The importance of parenting self-efficacy and social support for family quality of life in children newly diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder: A one-year follow-up study. Autism Res 2024; 17:148-161. [PMID: 37987229 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Improving the quality of family life (FQoL) is one of the ultimate goals for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) intervention, and parenting self-efficacy and social support are critical for the well-being of families. However, longitudinal studies focusing on FQoL and its predictors for families of children with ASD are scarce. This study aims to describe the characteristics of FQoL among parents of children newly diagnosed with ASD at two waves (newly diagnosed and diagnosed after one year) and to explore the predictors of FQoL at two waves. It was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou, China. A total of 156 parents and their children were included in Wave 1, followed up with 110 in Wave 2 after 1 year. The overall satisfaction of FQoL improved (t = -2.128, p < 0.05), while satisfaction with physical/material well-being decreased (t = 5.972, p < 0.01). Additionally, the overall importance rating of FQoL improved but did not have statistical significance (p > 0.05). Parents with higher parenting self-efficacy (β = 0.716, P < 0.01), and more subjective social support (β = 1.127, p < 0.001) reported higher satisfaction with FQoL, and those with better social support utilization (β = 1.066, p < 0.05) reported higher importance for FQoL. FQoL needs to be improved in the early stage of ASD diagnosis, and parental self-efficacy and social support can serve as the intervention targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yushen Dai
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Miaoying Chen
- Child Development and Behavior Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University Lingnan Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Deng
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Baoqin Huang
- Child Development and Behavior Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University Lingnan Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Ji
- Child Development and Behavior Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University Lingnan Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongshen Feng
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaofei Liu
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lifeng Zhang
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tsunoda K, Nagase K, Fujita K. Association of physical activity with psychological distress and happiness in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Womens Health 2023; 23:450. [PMID: 37635213 PMCID: PMC10464457 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02597-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have severely impacted the psychological status of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although a previous study reported that physical activity (PA) moderated psychological distress in parents of children with ASD during the COVID-19 pandemic, the effect of PA on the happiness levels of such parents during the pandemic remains unclear. This study investigated the associations among PA, psychological distress, and happiness in mothers of children with ASD during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS This cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate mothers of children with disabilities. Questionnaires were collected from mothers living in Yamaguchi and Okayama Prefectures, Japan, between February and December 2022. During this period, three large waves of the COVID-19 pandemic occurred in Japan. Of the 601 respondents, 334 mothers had children with ASD and offered valid data. PA was assessed using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Psychological distress and happiness were assessed using the six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) and the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS). RESULTS The mothers had markedly higher K6 scores (6.49) and more than half of them had moderate-to-severe psychological distress, whereas the SHS scores (4.46) were similar to that of the general Japanese population. In a multivariable-adjusted model based on the analysis of covariance, the K6 score was not associated with any PA items. In contrast, SHS scores were positively associated with moderate-intensity PA (MPA) and total moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA), independent of K6. In the post-hoc test, mothers who did some (4.52) or enough (≥ 150 min/week) MPA (4.56) had a higher SHS score than those who did not (4.09). Similarly, mothers who engaged in sufficient (≥ 600 MET-min/week) total MVPA had higher SHS scores (4.57) than those who did not engage in MVPA (4.12). CONCLUSIONS The mothers of children with ASD during the COVID-19 pandemic had markedly higher psychological distress, though none of the PA items were associated with stress levels. However, PA was positively associated with happiness in mothers of children with ASD independent of their stress levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Tsunoda
- Faculty of Social Welfare, Yamaguchi Prefectural University, 6-2-1 Sakurabatake, 753-0021, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan.
| | - Kai Nagase
- Faculty of Social Welfare, Yamaguchi Prefectural University, 6-2-1 Sakurabatake, 753-0021, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Kumi Fujita
- Faculty of Social Welfare, Yamaguchi Prefectural University, 6-2-1 Sakurabatake, 753-0021, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kim J, Aryee LMD, Bang H, Prajogo S, Choi YK, Hoch JS, Prado EL. Effectiveness of Digital Mental Health Tools to Reduce Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JMIR Ment Health 2023; 10:e43066. [PMID: 36939820 PMCID: PMC10131603 DOI: 10.2196/43066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression and anxiety contribute to an estimated 74.6 million years of life with disability, and 80% of this burden occurs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where there is a large gap in care. OBJECTIVE We aimed to systematically synthesize available evidence and quantify the effectiveness of digital mental health interventions in reducing depression and anxiety in LMICs. METHODS In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases from the inception date to February 2022. We included randomized controlled trials conducted in LMICs that compared groups that received digital health interventions with controls (active control, treatment as usual, or no intervention) on depression or anxiety symptoms. Two reviewers independently extracted summary data reported in the papers and performed study quality assessments. The outcomes were postintervention measures of depression or anxiety symptoms (Hedges g). We calculated the pooled effect size weighted by inverse variance. RESULTS Among 11,196 retrieved records, we included 80 studies in the meta-analysis (12,070 participants n=6052, 50.14% in the intervention group and n=6018, 49.85% in the control group) and 96 studies in the systematic review. The pooled effect sizes were -0.61 (95% CI -0.78 to -0.44; n=67 comparisons) for depression and -0.73 (95% CI -0.93 to -0.53; n=65 comparisons) for anxiety, indicating that digital health intervention groups had lower postintervention depression and anxiety symptoms compared with controls. Although heterogeneity was considerable (I2=0.94 for depression and 0.95 for anxiety), we found notable sources of variability between the studies, including intervention content, depression or anxiety symptom severity, control type, and age. Grading of Recommendations, Assessments, Development, and Evaluation showed that the evidence quality was overall high. CONCLUSIONS Digital mental health tools are moderately to highly effective in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in LMICs. Thus, they could be effective options to close the gap in depression and anxiety care in LMICs, where the usual mental health care is minimal. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42021289709; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=289709.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiyeong Kim
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Lois M D Aryee
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Heejung Bang
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Steffi Prajogo
- Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yong K Choi
- Department of Health Information Management, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jeffrey S Hoch
- Division of Health Policy and Management, Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Elizabeth L Prado
- Department of Nutrition, Institute for Global Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|