The effect of whole body vibration on improving the sleep quality of children with high-functioning autism

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant professor of Department of Physical Education,Farhangian University, P.O. Box 14665-889,Tehran, Iran

2 Alborz Campus of Tehran University

10.22034/mmbj.2024.62487.1105

Abstract

Introduction: Sleep is an active process that affects daily functioning, mental health and body. Children with autism often have trouble sleeping. One of the common complaints of parents is the lack of enough sleep for these children. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of whole body vibration on improving the sleep quality of children with high-functioning autism.

Methodology: The subjects of this study included 10 children with high-functioning autism. Subjects were divided into experimental group (n = 10) and control group (n = 10). The experimental group participated in the training program for 6 months and 3 sessions per week and the control group continued their normal activities. At the beginning and end of the programe, children's sleep was measured by the CSHQ questionnaire. Data were analyzed by independent t-test and analysis of covariance at the significant level of α = 0.05.

Results: The results showed that there were significant differences in the subscales of sleep anxiety, parasomnia, daytime drowsiness, nocturnal awakening, delayed onset of sleep, sleep resistance, difficulty breathing during sleep, sleep duration, and delayed onset of sleep)p <0/05(. But no significant difference was observed in the control group (p <0/05).

Discussion and Conclusion: The results show that whole body vibration training program has improved the sleep quality of children and should be added to the training program of these children as an important clinical intervention to improve the sleep pattern.

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