Enhanced Physical Activity Improves Selected Outcomes in Children With ADHD: Systematic Review

Min Kyoung Song, Deborah Lauseng, Soohee Lee, Megan Nordstrom, Victor Katch

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

This review examines associations between physical activity (PA) and cognitive, behavioral, and physiological outcomes in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We reviewed studies on participants ≤18 years old, published in English between January 1998 and December 2014, in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Reviews. Twenty-six studies were grouped into two categories: those that did and did not account for effects of ADHD medications. The first category showed lower levels of PA and improved cognitive and behavioral outcomes in youth whose ADHD was treated with medications. The second category showed a positive association between PA levels and cognitive and behavioral outcomes in youth whose ADHD was not treated with medications. For both categories of studies, results were inconclusive regarding physiological outcomes. Randomized controlled trials are needed to better clarify the relationship between PA and outcomes in youth with ADHD, and particularly to understand the impact of ADHD medications on that relationship.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1155-1184
Number of pages30
JournalWestern journal of nursing research
Volume38
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2016

Keywords

  • attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
  • children
  • physical activity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Nursing

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