Comparing the Influence of an Aqua-Based Versus a Mindfulness-Based Kata Techniques Training on Sleep Habits and Stereotypic Behaviors in Children with Autism

Objectives: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of aquatic and karate training programs on sleep habits and stereotypic behaviors in Children with ASD. Methods: This research was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design, with two intervention groups and one control group. The statistical population comprised all boys with ASD who was a member of the Autism Institute in Rasht in ۲۰۱۹. Of whom ۳۰ individuals were selected using the purposive sampling method. Thirty children with autism (۸–۱۴ years) were randomly divided into karate exercise (n=۱۰), aquatic training (n=۱۰), and waitlist control (n=۱۰) conditions. The training groups practiced for ۱۰ weeks, two sessions of ۶۰ minutes per week. Karate exercises involved mindfulness Taikyoku Jodan Kata, consisting of blocking, punching, sticking, and kicking moves against an imaginary opponent presented by AdibSaber et al. Aquatic training was a group intervention including orientation training, basic swimming skills, and free swimming presented by Kolachahi et al. Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ, ۲۰۰۰) and stereotype subscale of Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS-۲, ۲۰۰۶) were completed by parents during pre-and post-intervention. A series of ANOVAs for repeated measures was utilized for data analysis. Results: Results indicated that both training interventions had a significant positive effect on stereotypic behaviors compared to the pre-intervention and control groups (P<۰.۰۱). We also found that the aquatic exercise group obtained better scores in total (P<۰.۰۰۱) and two subscale scores (sleep anxiety (P<۰.۰۰۱) and Parasomnias (P<۰.۰۵)) than kata techniques training group; but no significant group effects were observed with regard to the other subscales. Conclusions: It is recommended to provide a suitable environment at school or institute for children with ASD to participate in physical activities such as aquatic and karate exercises to alleviate repetitive behaviors. Furthermore, it is suggested to use an aqua-based training as a complementary approach in the field of improving common problems such as sleep habits of children with ASD.

کلیدواژه ها:

Stereotypic Behaviors ، Sleep habits ، Children with ASD ، Mindfulness-based exercise ، Swimming