None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Postural control plays a fundamental role in motor behaviour. Hence it is important to identify all postural control deficits that could have a negative impact on further motor development of a child. When assessing postural control of young children, pediatricians and/or physiotherapists mainly use subjective measures including function tests. The need to find methods ensuring the measurement objectivity is therefore indisputable. The main aim of the study is an assessment of postural control in children with autistic spectrum disorder and in healthy children. Candidates will be qualified to participate in the study based on neurological and physiotherapy examinations. Step initiation will be performed on force platforms under various conditions, ie., with and without an obstacle, stepping up onto a platform situated at a higher level, stepping down onto a platform situated on a lower level.
Interventions
The main aim of the study is posturographic assessment of postural control in children with autistic spectrum disorder.
All children will undergo a three-stage postural assessment including neurological examination by a child neurologist and physiotherapy examination by a neurodevelopmental physiotherapist. Based on these examinations the children will be allocated to the experimental (children with autistic spectrum disorder) or control group (healthy children).
The third stage will be step i
The main aim of the study is posturographic assessment of postural control in children with autistic spectrum disorder. All children will undergo a three-stage postural assessment including neurological examination by a child neurologist and physiotherapy examination by a neurodevelopmental physiotherapist. Based on these examinations the children will be allocated to the experimental (children with autistic spectrum disorder) or control group (healthy children). The third stage will be step initiation and lateral weight shifting assessment in both groups. The measurement station will consist of two (A and B) force AMTI platforms (AccuGait), charge amplifier and computer. Digital output from the platform will be recorded using AMTI's NetForce software with recording frequency of 100 Hz. Quiet standing will be the starting position in all trials with feet comfortably aligned, arms along the trunk and eyes looking straight ahead. Assessment of step initiation will comprise four trials: 1. Three repetitions: quiet standing on platform A for 15 seconds, then changing to Platform B (1 step) followed by quiet standing for another 15 seconds. The distance between platforms: 10cm. 2. Three repetitions: quiet standing on Platform A for 15 seconds, then changing to Platform B (1 step) followed by quiet standing for another 15 seconds. A 15-cm obstacle over the edge of the platforms; the distance between platforms: 10 cm. 3. Three repetitions – quiet standing on Platform A for 15 seconds, then changing to Platform B (1 step up) followed by quiet standing for another 15 seconds. Platform B is placed on a 17-cm base directly at the edge of Platform A. 4. Three repetitions – quiet standing on Platform B for 15 seconds, then changing to Platform A (1 step down) followed by quiet standing for another 15 seconds. Platform B is placed on a 17-cm base directly at the edge of Platform A. Platform changing will each time start at a sound signal. The recording of center of foot pressure (COP) displacements will be divided into three phases: Phase 1 – quiet standing before step initiation Phase 2 – transit Phase 3 – quiet standing until measurement completion. The recording will be divided into phases using an algorithm whose main elements will be foot contact with the platform and the limit of momentary COP displacement; beyond that point exit from stability or stability gain will be observed. Stability is defined as body sway where momentary COP displacement does not exceed average COP displacement plus three standard deviations. For Phase 1, average COP and SD will be calculated based on measurements made within the first 5 sec of the test. For Phase 3 – based on the last 5 sec of the test. Assessment of lateral weight shifting from one leg to the other: Three repetitions: each trial in the procedure will start with 10 sec of quiet standing on the platform (with feet comfortably aligned, arms along the trunk and eyes looking straight ahead on), after which an acoustic signal will be triggered to initiate the weight shift from one leg to the other without changing the base of support (no step or foot rise will be allowed). The subjects will execute the shifting weight from one leg to the other at their own pace until 15 full cycles will be completed. The assessment will comprise two sessions: neurological and physiotherapy examinations on one day - the approximate duration of this session is 45 minutes (Stages 1 and 2); step initiation and lateral weight shifting assessment on another day - the approximate duration of this session is 25 minutes (Stage 3).
Sponsors
The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
3 Years to 12 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
The experimental group will comprise children at the age of 3-12 years with autistic spectrum disorder identified on neurological and physiotherapy examinations. The control group will comprise children aged 3 to 12 years with no postural defects on neurological and physiotherapy examinations, no history of postural control or movement deficits.
Exclusion criteria
- genetic disorders - progressive encephalopathy - congenital abnormalities of the central nervous system - infantile cerebral palsy - no consent of the child and / or parents / guard to participate in the study.
Outcome results
None listed