Effect of Aerobic Exercise in an Enriched Environment on Restricted Repetitive Behaviors and Working Memory in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

<bold>Objective</bold> To observe the effects of aerobic exercise in an enriched environment on restricted repetitive behaviors(RRBs) and working memory in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). <bold>Methods</bold> A total of 62 children with ASD who visited the Department of Rehabilitation of Children's Hospital of Soochow University from May to December 2022 were selected as the research subjects.Using the random number table sampling method, these children were randomly divided into control group (<italic>n</italic>=31) and observation group (<italic>n</italic>=31). Both the two groups underwent routine rehabilitation training; in addition, the control group participated in group indoor walking activities, and the observation group engaged in group indoor obstacle-crossing running as a form of aerobic exercise, with the indoor environment being changed once a week. The exercises were performed for 15 minutes per session, twice a day, 5 days a week for 15 weeks.The repetitive behavior scale-revised (RBS-R) was used before and after treatment to assess RRBs, and the fourth edition of the Webster Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence/Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WPPSI/WISC-Ⅳ) were used for working memory assessment. <bold>Results</bold> After 15 weeks of treatment, the total score of RBS-R in the control group was significantly lower than that before treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (<italic>P</italic>&lt;0.05). The observation group showed significant reductions in stereotyped behavior, compulsive behavior and total score compared to those before treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (<italic>P</italic>&lt;0.05, <italic>P</italic>&lt;0.01). When comparing the two groups, the total RBS-R score in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (<italic>P</italic>&lt;0.05). The working memory score of WPPSI/WISC-Ⅳ in the observation group significantly improved compared with that before treatment (<italic>P</italic>&lt;0.05), and there was no significant change in the control group compared with before treatment. At 4 weeks after the aerobic exercise intervention was discontinued, the RBS-R scores in the observation group further reduced compared with the scores at the 15 weeks of the intervention, and the differences were statistically significant (<italic>P</italic>&lt;0.05). <bold>Conclusion</bold> Aerobic exercise in an enriched environment can reduce RRBs in children with ASD and improve working memory, and the reduction of RRBs in children with ASD can be sustained after the cessation of aerobic exercise.