Effect of Aerobic Exercise in an Enriched Environment on Restricted Repetitive Behaviors and Working Memory in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of aerobic exercise in an enriched environment on restricted repetitive behaviors(RRBs) and working memory in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).MethodsA total of 62 children with ASD who visited the Department of Rehabilitation of Children's Hospital of Soochow University from May to December 2022 were selected as the research subjects.Using the random number table sampling method, these children were randomly divided into control group (n=31) and observation group (n=31). Both the two groups underwent routine rehabilitation training; in addition, the control group participated in group indoor walking activities, and the observation group engaged in group indoor obstacle-crossing running as a form of aerobic exercise, with the indoor environment being changed once a week. The exercises were performed for 15 minutes per session, twice a day, 5 days a week for 15 weeks.The repetitive behavior scale-revised (RBS-R) was used before and after treatment to assess RRBs, and the fourth edition of the Webster Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence/Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WPPSI/WISC-Ⅳ) were used for working memory assessment.ResultsAfter 15 weeks of treatment, the total score of RBS-R in the control group was significantly lower than that before treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P