The Effect of Tai Chi Chuan Training on Stereotypic Behavior of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder


Author: Roza Tabeshian1, Maryam Nezakat-Alhosseini2, Ahmadreza Movahedi1, E Paul Zehr3,4,5,6,7, Salar Faramarzi8

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Department of Motor Behavior, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

<sup>2</sup> Department of Motor Behavior, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran. mnezakat2003@yahoo.com.

<sup>3</sup> Rehabilitation Neuroscience Laboratory, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.

<sup>4</sup> School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.

<sup>5</sup> Human Discovery Science, International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Vancouver, BC, Canada.

<sup>6</sup> Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.

<sup>7</sup> Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.

<sup>8</sup> Department of Children With Special Needs, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.
Conference/Journal: J Autism Dev Disord
Date published: 2021 Jun 3
Other:
  Special Notes: doi: 10.1007/s10803-021-05090-w.   ,  Word Count: 124  
    This quasi-experimental study investigated effects of Tai Chi Chuan training on stereotypic behavior of children with autism spectrum disorder. Twenty-three participants (mean age = 9.60 ± 1.40 years) were assigned to experimental (N = 12) and control (N = 11) groups. The experimental group received 12 weeks of Tai Chi training and all participants had pre, post, and one-month follow-up assessments. Stereotypic behavior measured using Gilliam Autism Rating Scale 2 Scores, was significantly altered by ~ 25% in the Tai Chi Chuan group. Behavioral change was maintained at follow up since there was no significant difference between that and the posttest. In conclusion, Tai Chi Chuan training is a useful and appropriate intervention to modulate behavior in individuals with autism spectrum disorder.



Keywords: Autism; Exercise; Stereotypic behavior; Tai Chi Chuan.



PMID: 34085151 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05090-w