Autism, Balance, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Posture
Conditions
Brief summary
This study is a case control pilot study to investigate the impact of a short-term intervention on training anticipatory postural adjustments in a population of people with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Detailed description
Data will be collected by using a weighted pendulum to provide a posterior perturbation to test subjects' postural reactions pre and post-intervention. Intervention will include four sessions of weighted ball tosses/weighted tether ball stops to improve muscle activation patterns and efficiency. EMG sensors, 3D motion analysis, and force plates will be used to collect the necessary data.
Interventions
OTHERTraining with weighted ball
Participants will stop or catch a weighted ball
Sponsors
Universita di Verona
University of Hartford
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Case control, matched on gender, age, and BMI
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
8 Years to 25 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Participants 1. Able to stand without assistance 2. Diagnosis of cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, or Autism Spectrum Disorder 3. Able to stop weighted ball without falling 4. Able to follow directions Controls 1. Able to stand without assistance 2. No neurodeveloopmental disability 3. Able to stop weighted ball without falling 4. Able to follow directions
Exclusion criteria
1. Pregnancy 2. Unable to maintain standing when stopping a ball on a rope
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle activation timing | Pre-intervention muscle activation timing will be assessed on the initial visit. Post-intervention muscle activation timing will be assessed immediately after the fourth training session, at most, 7 days later. | Evaluation in change in muscle activation timing of anterior tibialis, soleus, gastroc, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, rectus abdominis using electromyography |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle amplitude response | Pre-intervention muscle amplitude response will be assessed on the initial visit. Post-intervention muscle amplitude response will be assessed immediately after the fourth training session, at most, 7 days later. | Evaluation in change in amplitude of anterior tibialis, soleus, gastroc, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, rectus abdominis using electromyography |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed