The effect of water-based intervention on sleep habits and two sleep-related cytokines in children with autism.

Objective: Previous studies have shown that children with autism have sleep disturbances and elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of aquatic exercise on sleep habits and two certain sleep-related cytokines of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Methods: Forty boys with ASD (aged 6-14) were recruited and randomly assigned to an aquatic exercise (n = 20) or a control group (n = 20).