Balance And Foot Posture In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

NCT07163949 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: AFB
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 22
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The position of the ankle and foot is known as foot posture, and this can have an impact on balance and mobility. Previous research has shown that differences in foot structure and posture between different populations can have a significant impact on balance. However, to our knowledge, no study has examined the relationship between foot posture, anthropometry, muscle strength, and balance in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This study was therefore designed to analyse these relationships.

Conditions

Autism Disorder; Balance; Posture; Foot Anomalies

Keywords

Autism Spectrum Disorder; Balance; foot; posture; anthropometry

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Foot Posture Assessment

  Foot Posture Assessment: Children's foot posture will be assessed using the Foot Posture Index (FPI-6), which is valid for pediatric individuals. The Foot Posture Index is a scale consisting of a total of 6 items related to the posture of the rear foot and forefoot. These items are talar head palpation, the position of the inclinations above and below the lateral malleolus, the position of the calcaneus, ballooning in the talonavicular joint region, the structure of the medial longitudinal arch, and the abduction/adduction of the forefoot relative to the rearfoot. The total score in this assessment tool ranges from -12 to 12.

  Baseline

• Timed Up and Go (TUG) test

  Timed Up and Go (TUG) test: For this test, individuals are seated in a chair. The individual is asked to stand up from the chair without assistance, walk three meters on the marked floor, walk back to the chair, and sit down again. The stopwatch is started with the "start" command and stopped when the individual sits down. The TUG time is recorded in seconds (s).

  Baseline

• One-Leg Standing Test

  One-Leg Standing Test: During this test, which is used to assess an individual's static balance, the subject will be asked to lift one leg without touching the supporting leg, keeping their eyes open, and the time spent on one leg will be recorded in seconds.

  Baseline

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Foot-Ankle Anthropometric Measurements

  Baseline

• Foot Muscle Strength

  Baseline

• Tandem Walking Test

  Baseline

Study Arms (1)

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are complex neurodevelopmental conditions characterised by deficits in communication and reciprocal social interactions, as well as restricted interests and repetitive behaviours. Although motor impairments have been recognised as limiting daily motor skills, they are not included in the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for ASD. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published an estimate that the prevalence of ASD in the US population was approximately 1 in 54 eight-year-old children (around 1.85% of the child population). Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) documented a worldwide prevalence of approximately 0.76% in 2010 (affecting nearly 1.16% of the entire child population).

Other: Performance-based tests (such as TUG, foot posture measurements, Tandem Gait test) will be administered to children with ASD.

Interventions

Performance-based tests (such as TUG, foot posture measurements, Tandem Gait test) will be administered to children with ASD. OTHER

Children with ASD underwent balance and foot measurement tests that they could perform only by following instructions.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 5 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study included individuals aged 5-18 with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder

You may qualify if:

• Aged 5-18.
• Clinical diagnosis of ASD.

You may not qualify if:

• Lack of parental consent;
• Use of assistive devices;
• Presence of vision or hearing loss;
• Use of medications known to impair motor function, such as antipsychotics, stimulants or anticonvulsants;
• Having undergone any lower extremity injury or surgery in the past six months;
• Not being able to follow the commands necessary to obtain the study data.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Gulhane School of Medicine: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Health Sciences

Ankara, 06018, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Fournier KA, Kimberg CI, Radonovich KJ, Tillman MD, Chow JW, Lewis MH, Bodfish JW, Hass CJ. Decreased static and dynamic postural control in children with autism spectrum disorders. Gait Posture. 2010 May;32(1):6-9. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2010.02.007. Epub 2010 Apr 18.

  PMID: 20400311 RESULT

• Lord C, Elsabbagh M, Baird G, Veenstra-Vanderweele J. Autism spectrum disorder. Lancet. 2018 Aug 11;392(10146):508-520. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31129-2. Epub 2018 Aug 2.

  PMID: 30078460 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autistic Disorder; Foot Deformities, Congenital; Autism Spectrum Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders; Foot Deformities; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Lower Extremity Deformities, Congenital; Limb Deformities, Congenital; Musculoskeletal Abnormalities; Congenital Abnormalities; Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Target Duration: 1 Day
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Asst Prof

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 29, 2025
• First Posted: September 9, 2025
• Study Start: September 15, 2024
• Primary Completion: January 15, 2025
• Study Completion: June 15, 2025
• Last Updated: September 9, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)