The effect of motor interventions on gross motor skills in children with autism: a systematic review and META analysis

Abstract

Abstract OBJECTIVE To systematically and quantitatively evaluate the effects of different forms of interventions on the development of gross motor skills in children with autism and to provide a reference for further enhancing the development of gross skills in children with autism. METHODS Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on gross motor skill interventions for children with autism were collected according to the criteria developed by searching in China Knowledge Network (CNKI), Wanfang Digital Resources, Wipu database, and web of science database. The Chinese and English search terms included: (autism OR autism spectrum disorder) AND (motor skill OR fundamental motor skill OR fundamental movement skill) AND (pupil OR child). The retrieved literature was screened, data extracted, and the quality of the included literature was evaluated using Cochrane. Meta-analysis and sensitivity analysis, regression analysis, and publication bias were performed using Review Manager 5.4 and Stata 15.1 software. Result Meta-analysis results showed that targeted motor interventions significantly improved the development of gross motor skills in children with autism and were effective in improving the total TGMD scores of children with autism (SMD = 13.61, 95% CI [8.77,18.46]). There was a significant increase in displacement skills (SMD = 7.07, 95% CI [5.20,8.94]) and object control skills (SMD = 6.55, 95% CI [4.98,8.12]). In terms of displacement skills, a certain duration of motor intervention had a good effect on children with autism for fast running, side sliding, single-leg jumping, and straddle jumping, but not for front sliding and standing long jump. In terms of object control skills: the motor intervention significantly improved children with autism's ability to throw the ball underhand, kick the ball, and hit the stationary ball, but not overhand throwing and slapping the ball in place. Conclusion Targeted motor interventions have an important role in promoting gross skills in children with autism spectrum disorders. Further research should be conducted to validate this with larger sample sizes and high-quality RCTs.