ECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH20
INTRODUCTION: Adults with Down syndrome (DS) show a markedly increased risk for early cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. In the general population, regular physical exercise has been shown to exert protective effects on cognitive functioning and brain health. However, evidence regarding the effects of structured exercise interventions on cognitive, linguistic, and motor outcomes in adults with DS remains scarce. Moreover, prevention programs that can be sustainably integrated into everyday living environments are largely lacking. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of a structured, DS-specific physical exercise program on language, cognition, and motor performance, designed as a care-oriented intervention aimed at reducing existing gaps in preventive services. METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial, 43 adults with DS were randomly assigned to an exercise intervention group (IG) or a control group with delayed intervention (CG). During the primary RCT phase, the IG completed a 6-week structured exercise program, while the CG continued usual daily activities. Between post-test and follow-up of the IG, the CG subsequently received the intervention, whereas the IG entered a no-intervention period to examine sustained effects. The exercise program comprised three sessions per week, including one group-based training session emphasizing aerobic, coordinative, and strengthening exercises, and two walking sessions of varying intensities. The total study duration for both groups was 24 weeks per collaborating center. Outcome measures were assessed at pre, post, and follow-up and included standardized assessments of language (e.g., picture naming and verbal fluency), cognitive performance (e.g., executive functions), and motor abilities (e.g., coordination, speed, and strength). Primary intervention effects were examined by comparing pre–post changes between groups using appropriate statistical approaches for repeated-measures data. Follow-up analyses examined potential persistence effects at follow-up. RESULTS: Preliminary analyses (n = 18) revealed significant improvements in verbal functions in the IG following the intervention compared with the CG, including semantic verbal fluency (p = 0.016) and letter verbal fluency (p = 0.005). In addition, motor performance improved significantly after the 6-week training period, as indicated by faster performance in the Plate Tapping Test (p = 0.010) and the 20-m sprint (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: This randomized controlled trial addresses a critical gap by examining the multidimensional effects of physical exercise in adults with DS. A first analysis of a subgroup revealed intervention effects. The study supports the implementation of a structured, low-threshold exercise program that is continued by all collaborating centers to help reduce existing gaps in preventive services.
Read CV Mira FischerECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH20
INTRODUCTION: Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social functioning and restricted, repetitive behaviors, in addition with poor mental health. This study aimed to explore the association between the frequency of different physical activity (PA) types and mental health outcomes in autistic adults aged 40 to 70 years. METHODS: We analyzed baseline data from 408 autistic individuals diagnosed by professional institutions, sourced from the UK Biobank database. Participants were categorized based on their self-reported frequency of moderate-intensity PA (MPA), vigorous-intensity PA (VPA), and walking . "Regular" activity was defined as engaging in the respective activity three or more times per week for at least 10 minutes per session, as defined within the UK Biobank. Accordingly, participants were grouped as follows: regular MPA (n=231) vs. irregular MPA (≤2 times/week, n=177); regular VPA (n=134) vs. irregular VPA (n=274); regular walking (n=337) vs. irregular walking (n=71). Mental health was assessed using a range of self-reported measures, including mood swings, miserableness, irritability, nervous feelings, and loneliness, among others. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to assess the associations between irregular PA and each mental health outcome, adjusting for age, sex, education, and family income. RESULTS: Compared to the regular VPA group, the irregular VPA group had significantly higher rates of miserableness (68.8% vs. 55.2%, p=0.01), fed-up feelings (66.7% vs. 52.1%, p=0.007), and suffering from nerves (41.2% vs. 30.2%, p=0.041), but a lower rate of risk-taking (32.8% vs. 45.8%, p=0.016). The irregular MPA group showed a lower rate of risk-taking (30.6% vs. 42.0%, p=0.024) compared to the regular MPA group. The irregular walking group reported higher rates of suffering from nerves (57.8% vs. 34.1%, p<0.001), loneliness (53.8% vs. 39.0%, p=0.027), and guilty feelings (54.8% vs. 40.2%, p=0.032). After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, irregular VPA remained significantly associated with higher odds of miserableness (OR=1.94, 95% CI: 1.22-3.08), fed-up feelings (OR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.30-3.27), and suffering from nerves (OR=1.75, 95% CI: 1.07-2.84), and lower odds of risk-taking (OR=0.57, 95% CI: 0.36-0.90). Irregular MPA was associated with lower odds of risk-taking (OR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.37-0.91). Irregular walking was associated with higher odds of suffering from nerves (OR=2.58, 95% CI: 1.47-4.54) and loneliness/isolation (OR=1.82, 95% CI: 1.04-3.19). CONCLUSION: Among autistic adults aged 40-70 years, irregular participation in PA, particularly vigorous exercise and walking, is associated with poorer mental health status, including higher levels of negative emotions and lower risk-taking. Promoting regular PA could be a valuable strategy in public health initiatives aimed at improving the psychological well-being of autistic adults.
Read CV Muqing CaoECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH20