Effects of Low Frequency Whole Body Vibrations on Motor Skills and Sensory Integration in Children With Autism

NCT07757035 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR & AHS/25/0704
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of low-frequency Whole Body Vibration therapy on motor skills and sensory integration in children aged 5-9 years diagnosed with mild to moderate ASD.

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Keywords

autism; motor skills; sensory integration

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Test for Gross motor function-2 (TGMD-2)

  TGMD-2 includes motor exercises that are focused on improving motor performance levels. The first part of the locomotor subtest exercises includes a run, gallop, hop, leap, horizontal jump and slide. The second part of the object control subtest exercises includes striking a stationary ball, stationary dribble, catch, kick, overhand throw and underhand roll. During the test, each child had to perform each exercise twice. A total of 3- 5 performance criteria were used for the evaluation. If the given criterion was not performed correctly, it was marked 0. Conversely, if the given criterion was performed correctly, it was marked 1. The internal consistency of the TGMD-2 was found to be high (alpha = 0.71-0.72) and the interrater, interrater, and test-retest reliability acceptable (ICCs ranging from 0.82 to 0.95)

  8 weeks

• Sensory profile questionnaire

  The Sensory Profile Questionnaire is a 125-item tool designed for use with children aged 3 to 10 years. It employs a 5-point Likert scale and covers eight sensory categories: Auditory, Visual, Taste/Smell, Movement, Body Position, Touch, Activity Level, and Emotional/Social. Scores are calculated individually for three main sections-Sensory Processing, Modulation, and Behavioral and Emotional Responses-as well as for each specific factor. A lower total score on the SPCQ indicates greater sensory processing difficulties.

  8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Whole body vibration group

EXPERIMENTAL

The participants in this group will receive the low-frequency whole-body vibration therapy along with routine physical activity For whole body vibration: Frequency: 5 Hz Amplitude: 2.5 mm Each session will include 5 vibration periods, each lasting 30 seconds. A 1min rest interval will be provided between each vibration period. Upon completion of each session, the participant will be taken immediately to the observation room. A 5-minute post-session observation period will be conducted to monitor behavioral or physiological response Each participant will undergo between 10 and 40 individual sessions, depending on their tolerance and the requirement for data stability.

Other: whole body vibration

Routine physical therapy group

OTHER

10 min session per day. 5 session per week. Walk/Jog session at moderate intensity during the early hours of the day.

Other: Routine physical therapy

Interventions

whole body vibration OTHER

The participants in this group will receive the low-frequency whole-body vibration therapy along with routine physical activity For whole body vibration: Frequency: 5 Hz Amplitude: 2.5 mm Each session will include 5 vibration periods, each lasting 30 seconds. A 1min rest interval will be provided. A 5-minute post-session observation period will be conducted to monitor behavioral or physiological response Each participant will undergo between 10 and 40 individual sessions, depending on their tolerance and the requirement for data stability.

Whole body vibration group

Routine physical therapy OTHER

Walk/Jog session at moderate intensity during the early hours of the day. 10 min session per day. 5 session per week

Routine physical therapy group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 5 Years - 9 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Children aged 5-9 years
• Clinically diagnosed with mild to moderate Autism Spectrum Disorder according to the childhood autism rating scale (CARS)
• Able to stand or sit with support on a WBV platform
• Children able to follow simple verbal commands
• Children with no visual or auditory defects
• Parental/legal guardian consent obtained
• Attending regular therapy sessions at the study site

You may not qualify if:

• Children with uncontrolled epilepsy and cerebral palsy
• Severe musculoskeletal or orthopedic impairments
• Presence of implanted medical devices (e.g., pacemaker)
• Any recent surgery (\<6 months)
• Children currently undergoing another experimental therapy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Riphah Rehabilitation Center

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Monz BU, Houghton R, Law K, Loss G. Treatment patterns in children with autism in the United States. Autism Res. 2019 Mar;12(3):517-526. doi: 10.1002/aur.2070. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

  PMID: 30629336 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autistic Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Hina Manzoor, MS-PT

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 5, 2026
• First Posted: August 11, 2026
• Study Start: April 15, 2026
• Primary Completion: July 5, 2026
• Study Completion: July 10, 2026
• Last Updated: August 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)