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Review
. 2022 Aug 9:18:1679-1695.
doi: 10.2147/NDT.S369845. eCollection 2022.

Motor Functional Characteristics in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review

Shunsuke Takagi  1 , Hikaru Hori  2 , Tatsuya Yamaguchi  3   4 , Shinichiro Ochi  5 , Masaki Nishida  6 , Takashi Maruo  1 , Hidehiko Takahashi  1
Affiliations
Review

Motor Functional Characteristics in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review

Shunsuke Takagi et al. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. .

Erratum in

Abstract

Background: The development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has various influences on physical abilities. Identification of specific physical abilities of people with ADHD/ASDs as biomarkers for diagnosing these conditions is necessary. Therefore, in the present review, we aimed firstly to extract the difference in physical abilities of people with ADHD or ASDs compared to those of normal individuals. Secondly, we aimed to extract the specific physical ability characteristics for identifying potential diagnostic biomarkers in people with ADHD/ASDs.

Methods: A systematic literature review was performed. The databases were searched for relevant articles on motor function deficits and characteristics of ADHD or ASD.

Results: Forty-one cross-sectional studies and three randomized controlled trials were identified, comprising 33 studies of ADHD, 10 studies of ASDs, and 1 study of both ADHD and ASDs. The quality of studies varied. Three types of physical activities/exercises were identified, including coordinated movement, resistance-type sports, and aerobic-type sports. People with ADHD/ASDs generally exhibited poorer physical abilities for all types of activities, possibly because of low levels of physical activity. Specifically, we found temporal discoordination of movement in ADHD and integration or synchronization of separate movements in ASDs.

Conclusion: Specific deficits in physical ability may be attributed to ADHD/ASDs. However, there is not enough research on the physical abilities of people with ADHD and ASDs to clarify the specific deficits. Investigation of specific motor functions that characterize ADHD/ASDs should be facilitated.

Keywords: coordination; motor function; neural deficits; neurodevelopmental disorders; sports.

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Conflict of interest statement

S.T. received funding from the Japanese Association of Sports Psychiatry (JASP) for availing English editing service. Dr Shinichiro Ochi reports personal fees from Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co. Ltd., personal fees from Meiji Seika Pharma Co. Ltd., personal fees from Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., personal fees from Kowa Company, Ltd., outside the submitted work. The authors have no other competing interests to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis flow diagram for study inclusion and exclusion.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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