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Aerobic Exercise Reduces Suicidal Ideation and Sleep Disturbances in Adolescents with ADHD

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Research presented by the Chinese University of Hong Kong has shown that aerobic exercise-based physical activity can significantly reduce suicidal ideation and alleviate sleep disturbances in adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study involved 72 adolescents with ADHD who were randomly assigned to either an exercise group or a control group. Participants in the exercise group attended a 12-week aerobic exercise-based program consisting of a 60-minute session per week, and assessments were conducted at baseline and at the immediate end of the intervention.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that participants in the exercise group reported significantly reduced suicidal ideation (SI) and sleep disturbances compared to the control group.
  • The exercise-based intervention consisted of a 12-week program with a 60-minute session per week, and participants in the exercise group showed significant improvements in sleep disturbances, including reduced bedtime resistance (F = 14.61, p < 0.01).
  • Four subdomains of sleep disturbances were significantly decreased in the exercise group, including bedtime resistance, difficulty staying asleep, difficulty initiating sleep, and anxiety.
  • The findings suggest that aerobic exercise-based physical activity may serve as an alternative or complementary approach to alleviate SI and sleep disturbances in adolescents with ADHD.
  • The study was a randomized controlled trial involving 72 adolescents with ADHD, and the results suggest that physical activity can have a positive impact on mental health in individuals with ADHD.

Statistics:

  • 72 adolescents with ADHD were involved in the study, with a mean age of 14.71 ± 1.64 years.
  • The exercise group attended a 12-week program with a 60-minute session per week.
  • Participants in the exercise group reported a significant reduction in suicidal ideation (F = 5.68, p = 0.02, effect size = 0.09).
  • The exercise-based intervention resulted in a significant reduction in sleep disturbances (F = 7.11, p = 0.01, effect size = 0.11).
  • Four subdomains of sleep disturbances were significantly decreased in the exercise group, with p-values ranging from 0.01 to 0.05.

Sources:

  • Effects of physical activity on suicidal ideation and sleep disturbances in adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Affective Disorders, 2025:120369. Published by Elsevier, Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • NewsRx. New Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders Data Have Been Reported by Researchers at Chinese University of Hong Kong (Effects of physical activity on suicidal ideation and sleep disturbances in adolescents with attention-deficit ...). Mental Health Weekly Digest. October 20, 2025; p 451.

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