1. The Effects of Physical Exercise on the Executive Functions of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: An Integrative Review of Literature
Julie Diamond and Dr. Elizabeth Hartman // DePaul University
Background
Framework
Discussion
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood neurodevelopmental disorder that affects 6.4 million children in the U.S.1 These children often experience deficits in both behavioral and cognitive executive functioning.
Physical exercise (PE) has been gaining recognition as a safe, alternative non- pharmacological treatment option for the executive functioning of these children.
It is essential to recognize and treat these impairments early since they can hinder successful socialization and learning and increase the likelihood of future behavioral problems.
Despite the inconsistency in terms of which executive functions were evaluated in each study, the most frequent EF skills noted to show improvement with both short and long-term PE are: response inhibition, planning, working memory, set shifting and sustained attention.
After taking all factors into account including the type of physical exercise performed, the intensity of the exercise and the length of time of the exercise program, each study demonstrates that PE is a successful method for improving many aspects the executive functioning of children with ADHD.
Figure 1: Conceptual Diagram of Becker’s Health Belief Model (Jones et al., 2015)2
Nursing Implications
Purpose
Methodology
The purpose of this integrative literature review is to examine the effectiveness of physical exercise in improving the executive functioning of children diagnosed with ADHD.
Nurses play a vital role in educating patients and their families about the benefits PE has on both behavioral and cognitive functioning & in motivating these children to be physically active.
By advocating for an alternate, low-risk treatment option like PE, nurses can improve the quality of life of these children and help to decrease health care costs.
Number of studies found using keywords
PsycINFO
N= 59
PubMed
sN= 104
CINAHL
N= 22
Number of studies meeting inclusion criteria 35 60 16
Number of studies excluding duplications 56 11
Number of studies after using exclusion criteria 6 4
Research Questions
Does physical exercise improve executive functions of children with ADHD?
If so, what factors of PE are associated with these improvements?
Conclusion
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). Attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Retrieved from
Jones, C. L., Jensen, J. D., Scherr, C. L., Brown, N. R., Christy, K., & Weaver, J. (2015). The Health belief model as an explanatory framework in communication research: exploring parallel, serial, and moderated mediation. Health Communication, 30(6), 566–
Various aspects of executive functioning are positively impacted by various types, intensities and lengths of PE programs.
Further research is warranted to determine the short and long-term efficacy of PE as a non- pharmacological treatment option for children with ADHD.
A detailed search was conducted using CINAHL, PubMed, and PsycINFO. Peer-reviewed studies that were written in English and published between 2006 and 2016 were considered. Ten studies relating to PE as a treatment option for childhood cognitive deficits of ADHD were selected for inclusion for this literature review.