Author: Roza Tabeshian¹, Maryam Nezakat-Alhosseini², Ahmadreza Movahedi¹, E Paul Zehr^3,4,5,6,7, Salar Faramarzi⁸
Affiliation: 1 Department of Motor Behavior, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran. 2 Department of Motor Behavior, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran. mnezakat2003@yahoo.com. 3 Rehabilitation Neuroscience Laboratory, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada. 4 School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada. 5 Human Discovery Science, International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Vancouver, BC, Canada. 6 Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada. 7 Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada. 8 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

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