Physical activity has positive impacts on parental stress among parents of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to study findings published in Disability and Health Journal. Children (N=43) with ADHD and their parents were recruited from Shenzhen Children’s Hospital in China between August and September 2020. Participants were randomly assigned to either a 12-week physical activity program (n=22; mean age, 8.51±1.54 years; 73% boys; body mass index [BMI], 16.98±3.50 kg/m2) or a waitlist (n=21; mean age, 9.09±1.27 years; 82% boys; BMI, 16.63±2.98 kg/m2). The physical activity intervention comprised 3 hour-long sessions per week. The sessions were intended to maximize the continuous level of moderate-to-vigorous activity with a target heart rate of 64% to 93% and teach different forms of motor skills. The primary outcomes were changes to quality of life measured using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory and parental stress measured using the 15-item Parenting Stress Index–Short Form.
Physical Activity in Children with ADHD Reduces Parental Stress
by Dan DeMarle | Jan 16, 2023 | ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Exercise/health, Other Health Impairment