Objective To systematically evaluate the effects of acute and long-term exercise interventions on the physical health of children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Methods A systematic review was conducted following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses of non-randomized studies of interventions guidelines.Relevant studies from 1987 to 2023 were retrieved from PubMed,Web of Science,and EBSCO databases.Eligible studies were primarily non-randomized controlled trials focusing on acute or long-term exercise interventions in the children with PWS.Outcome measures included cardiorespiratory function,muscle strength,body composition,metabolism,and inflammation. Results A total of 19 studies were included.Studies of acute exercise showed that the children with PWS had lower cardiorespiratory function and muscle strength than normal or obese children,but similar metabolic responses.Long-term exercise interventions resulted in significant body mass index reduction,increased muscle mass,improved cardiorespiratory function,and regulation of inflammation markers such as interleukin-8.In addition,exercise improved the quality of life in the children with PWS. Conclusions Exercise interventions positively impact the health of children with PWS by reducing the body mass index,increasing the muscle strength,improving the cardiorespiratory function,and regulating inflammation.Exercise intervention combined with hormone therapy and nutritional intervention can serve as an effective rehabilitation regimen for the health management of children with PWS.Future research should explore optimal exercise prescriptions and long-term effects and mechanisms.
Xu et al. (Wed,) studied this question.