Objective: We aimed to Investigate physical activity's effects on inhibitory control in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).The benefits of physical activity on the inhibitory control of adult ADHD were explored in the hope of providing some suggestions for approaches to treating adult ADHD.
Methods: We searched the databases PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI and Wanfang for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of the effect of physical activity on inhibitory control in adults with ADHD, using PRISMA guidelines. We used used the Cochrane Bias Risk Assessment Criteria to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Finally, we performed a heterogeneity analysis and a potential publication bias analysis using Revman 5.4.
Results: A total of eight articles, 14 studies, and 373 experimental subjects were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The meta-analysis results showed that both acute exercise (standard mean deviation (SMD) = -0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -1.10,-0.2, P = 0.005) and chronic exercise (SMD = -1.77, 95% CI = -2.84, -0.69, P = 0.0001) have a positive effect on the inhibitory control of adult ADHD. Pilates (SMD = -2.22, 95% CI = -2.97, -1.47, P < 0.0001), Tai Chi (SMD = -2.20, 95% CI = -6.25, -1.8, P = 0.25), cycling (SMD = -0.67, 95% CI = -1.27, -0.08, P = 0.03), vibration training (SMD = -0.67, 95% CI = -1.39, -0.05, P = 0.07), yoga (SMD = 0.01, 95% CI = -0.50, -0.48, P = 0.97), and other different exercise styles have significant differences in their effects on adult ADHD inhibitory control.
Conclusions: Physical activity has a beneficial effect on inhibitory control in adults with ADHD. However, more research is needed to examine the beneficial effects of different types of physical activity, intervention modalities, and dose-response effects of intensity.
Registration: This review was registered with INPLASY (registration number: 202490109).
