The effect of physical activity on quality of life and parenting stress in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

Poorer quality of life (QoL) is commonly observed in children with Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Parents of children with ADHD also perceived elevated levels of parenting stress. Previous research has documented the positive effects of physical activity (PA) on managing ADHD symptoms. It is critical to implement ADHD management with broader functioning from both children's and parents' perspectives.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine whether PA would exert an influence on the QoL of children with ADHD and parenting stress of their parents.

METHODS

Forty-three children with ADHD (6-12 years) were randomly assigned to the PA intervention and waitlist control groups. Children in the intervention group participated in a 12-week PA program. Parent-reported QoL and parenting stress were assessed before and immediately after the intervention. Analysis of covariance with a mixed factorial design of 2 (time: before vs. after intervention) × 2 (group: PA intervention vs. waitlist control) was conducted to examine changes in QoL and parenting stress over the 12 weeks.

RESULTS

Compared to the control group, parents of children in the intervention group reported significant reduced overall parenting stress (p = .021, η2 = 0.142) and child domain of parenting stress (p = .024, η2 = 0.138) after the intervention. No significant improvement in QoL was documented in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

The participation of PA intervention positively impacts parenting stress perceived by parents of children with ADHD, which provides further evidence of the family-wide benefits of the PA intervention.