Postural Control Instability in Children With Mild Autism

Proprioception and Vestibular Alterations Affect Postural Control in Children With Mild Autism: A Pilot Study

Objective: Individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) exhibit some type of motor control impairment, for instance, motor apraxia and history of gross motor delay that could lead to increased risk of fall. This pilot research was designed to assess and characterize static postural stability and create a starting point to better understand and describe postural control in children with mild autism. Method: We measured static postural control with center of pressure (COP) displacement in 10 children with mild autism during eight sensory conditions that challenge and cancel the visual, proprioceptive and vestibular systems.

Materials and methods Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval at the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science Campus has obtained prior the recruitment of the participants. Parents of children diagnosed with mild ASD who were interested in the study called the number on the recruitment flyer. The PI spoke with the parent to assess whether their child qualified for the study based on the following inclusion and exclusion criteria. Balance Assessment Protocol The balance assessment procedure included the following; each subject was instructed to stand on both feet for 15 seconds on the pressure MatScan under eight different conditions. The first four conditions were executed over a stable surface and consisted of the following: (1) eyes open (EO) -evaluates visual, vestibular and proprioceptive systems, (2) eyes closed (EC) -eliminates visual input, evaluates vestibular and proprioceptive system, (3) eyes open while moving head up and down (at 60 beats per minute) (EO HUD) -evaluates visual and proprioceptive system and alters vestibular input, (4) eyes closed while moving the head up and down (EC HUD) -evaluates the effect of removing visual information, and the vestibular input being altered. The subjects then performed the same four tasks, this time standing on an unstable platform (high quality closed cell foam 19 inches long x 15 inches width x 2.25 inches)with the purpose of altering the proprioceptive input and increasing dependence on the visual and vestibular systems.

The balance assessment procedure included the following; each subject was instructed to stand on both feet for 15 seconds on the pressure MatScan under eight different conditions.

Postural Stability Testing Each subject was instructed to stand in a static bipedal posture on the MatScan® pressure mat and performed 8 balance tasks.

Postural Stability Testing Each subject was instructed to stand in a static bipedal posture on the MatScan® pressure mat and performed 8 balance tasks.

Postural stability was operationally defined by the center of pressure displacement measured by the MatScan® pressure mat. These sensors detect the displacement as the body sways anterior, posterior or laterally (right or left).

Inclusion Criteria: children from 7-12 years of age, male or female mild ASD diagnosis (as determined by a medical doctor) capable of ambulating independently. Exclusion Criteria: children with additional neurological problems children with visual problems children unable to tolerate walking or standing barefoot children who have fallen three or more times in the last three months children with vestibular problems.

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