The Impact of Aquatic Exercise on Sleep Behaviors in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Jennifer Wood Kanupka; Kathryn N. Oriel; Cheryl L. George; Lindi Crist; Kaitlyn Deardorff; Danielle Douglass; Kiersten Prenger; Rebecca Ulicny; Danielle Wirick

doi:10.6000/2292-2598.2018.06.01.1

Authors

Jennifer Wood Kanupka Lebanon Valley College, Department of Teacher Education, 101 N. College Ave. Annville, PA 17003, USA
Kathryn N. Oriel Lebanon Valley College, Department of Physical Therapy, 101 N. College Ave. Annville, PA 17003, USA
Cheryl L. George St. Joseph’s University, Department of Special Education, 5600 City Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19131, USA
Lindi Crist Lebanon Valley College, Department of Teacher Education, 101 N. College Ave. Annville, PA 17003, USA
Kaitlyn Deardorff Students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Lebanon Valley College, USA at the Time of the Study
Danielle Douglass Students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Lebanon Valley College, USA at the Time of the Study
Kiersten Prenger Students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Lebanon Valley College, USA at the Time of the Study
Rebecca Ulicny Students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Lebanon Valley College, USA at the Time of the Study
Danielle Wirick Students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Lebanon Valley College, USA at the Time of the Study

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/2292-2598.2018.06.01.1

Keywords:

Autism Spectrum Disorder, sleep, aquatic exercise.

Abstract

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often demonstrate disturbed sleep behaviors that negatively impact daytime behavior. The purpose of this study was: 1) To determine if participation in aquatic exercise improves sleep duration in children with ASD, and 2) to examine the social validity of the intervention. A within-subjects crossover design over an 8 week period was used. Participants were assigned to the intervention (aquatic exercise 2x/ week for 1 hour) or the control (no exercise) condition for 4 weeks; they then switched conditions for 4 weeks. Sleep habits were recorded using the EMFIT QS sleep monitor. The IRP-15 was administered to parents after completion of the intervention to establish social validity. Mean sleep duration for intervention versus control was compared using the Wilcoxon-Signed Ranks Test. Statistically significant improvements (p=0.012) in sleep duration were observed (intervention: 9.27 hours vs control 8.37 hours). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze IRP-15 data indicating the majority of parents strongly agreed that aquatic exercise had a positive effect on their child’s sleep.

Results suggest that participation in an aquatic exercise program may lead to improved sleep duration in children with ASD, and is a socially valid intervention.

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