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The Effect of Tai Chi Chuan Training on Stereotypic Behavior of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Abstract

This quasi-experimental study investigated effects of Tai Chi Chuan training on stereotypic behavior of children with autism spectrum disorder. Twenty-three participants (mean age = 9.60 ± 1.40 years) were assigned to experimental (N = 12) and control (N = 11) groups. The experimental group received 12 weeks of Tai Chi training and all participants had pre, post, and one-month follow-up assessments. Stereotypic behavior measured using Gilliam Autism Rating Scale 2 Scores, was significantly altered by ~ 25% in the Tai Chi Chuan group. Behavioral change was maintained at follow up since there was no significant difference between that and the posttest. In conclusion, Tai Chi Chuan training is a useful and appropriate intervention to modulate behavior in individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

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Acknowledgments

We thank all children and their families who participated in this study. We would also like to express our appreciation to the staff at Parnian Autism Institute and Dr. Shila Safavi for their support in the process of conducting this study. The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Hajer Mustafa in prepration of the figures. Many thanks go to Ms. Soosan Mohajerin for her patience and kindness in instructing the children.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Motor Behavior, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

    Roza Tabeshian, Maryam Nezakat-Alhosseini & Ahmadreza Movahedi

  2. Rehabilitation Neuroscience Laboratory, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada

    E. Paul Zehr

  3. Department of Children With Special Needs, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

    Salar Faramarzi

  4. School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada

    E. Paul Zehr

  5. Human Discovery Science, International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Vancouver, BC, Canada

    E. Paul Zehr

  6. Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada

    E. Paul Zehr

  7. Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada

    E. Paul Zehr

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  1. Roza Tabeshian
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Correspondence to Maryam Nezakat-Alhosseini.

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Author contributions

Ms. RT contributed to, designing the study, data collection, and data analysis, literature search, creating table and online sources. She also worked on writing the manuscript. Dr. MNA acted as the corresponding author, designing the experiment and conception, critical revision of the article, Dr. AM help in the conception and designing of this study. Dr. EPZ plays a significant role in the critical revision, editing, and writing of the article, Figure, and table. Dr. SF helped in the conception and design of this study. All authors contributed to the final approval of the version to be published.

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Tabeshian, R., Nezakat-Alhosseini, M., Movahedi, A. et al. The Effect of Tai Chi Chuan Training on Stereotypic Behavior of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 52, 2180–2186 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05090-w

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