Physical exercise therapy for autism spectrum disorder: protocol for a scoping review of systematic reviews

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by core symptoms of impaired social communication and restricted repetitive patterns of behavior. Physical exercise therapy (PET), as a non-pharmacological intervention, has seen increasing application and research in the ASD field. Although multiple systematic reviews have examined the efficacy of PET interventions for ASD and associated factors, a scoping review is still needed to systematically analyze existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses, thereby identifying current research gaps.

Methods: This study will be based on the scoping-review methodological framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley in 2005 and the PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines. The search will cover four databases: MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library (Wiley), screening systematic reviews published in English from database inception through December 2025. The study will include systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials and observational studies (with or without meta-analysis). Two reviewers will independently perform literature screening and data extraction. All eligible articles will be evaluated using the AMSTAR-2 tool. Tabulated data will be summarized through quantitative analysis, with qualitative synthesis conducted using narrative methods.

Discussion: This scoping review will highlight the evidence needed to guide decision-making for PET interventions in individuals with ASD.

Systematic review registration: Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/JVM4H).