Telehealth Exercise Boosts Sleep and Reduces Parental Stress in Autism

A Telehealth-Delivered Physical Activity Intervention Improves Sleep and Reduces Parental Stress in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aims to test whether a physical activity program delivered through telehealth can help improve sleep quality in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and reduce stress and improve well-being in their parents.

Children in the study will wear a small device (an accelerometer) to measure their physical activity levels and sleep. Parents will answer questionnaires about their child's sleep habits, behavior, and social skills, as well as their own sleep, stress levels, and parenting experience.

The program will be delivered remotely, allowing families to participate from their homes. It includes guided physical activities, family-based exercises, and regular telehealth support from professionals.

The goal is to find out if this type of remote support can help both children with autism and their caregivers in daily life.

Inclusion Criteria:

• The participant is a child aged 8 to 12 years with a confirmed diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
• A parent or primary caregiver aged 18 years or older is willing and able to participate in the study.
• The child demonstrates the ability to understand and follow simple instructions necessary for study procedures.
• Presence of significant parent-reported insomnia symptoms, specifically defined as bedtime resistance, sleep-onset delay, or night awakenings occurring on five to seven nights per week, as identified using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ).

Exclusion Criteria:

• The participant is currently receiving, or has recently completed, pharmacological or formal behavioral treatment for sleep problems.
• Presence of any medical condition that significantly limits physical activity (e.g., moderate-to-severe asthma, congenital heart disease).
• Diagnosis of a complex neurological disorder (e.g., epilepsy).
• Presence of other known medical or psychiatric conditions that could be the primary cause of sleep disturbance (e.g., sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, severe anxiety).