NCT07484347

Combined Effects of Sensorimotor Integration and Post-facilitation Stretch in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Combined Effects of Sensorimotor Integration and Post-facilitation Stretch on Toe Walking and Foot Posture in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 36 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Riphah International University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 4 Years – 10 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

To determine the effects of sensory motor integration and post facilitation stretch on toe walking and sensory processing behaviors using Foot Posture Index and Sensory Profile respectively.

Detailed description

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disease that involves communication, social interaction and language in different ways. The autism toe walker is affected by outside world contact refusal: touching the ground as little as possible, trying to avoid any contact. The pathological walking caused by myotendinous retraction of the sural muscles bilaterally, succeeding in transforming an equine "attitude" into structured clubfoot walking. Many therapy options have been described: no treatment, physical therapy or casting to stretch the gastrocnemius, soleus, and Achilles' tendon, surgical lengthening of the gastrocnemius, soleus and Achilles tendon, blocking plantar flexion. Sensorimotor integration is the process by which motor behaviors and sensory system processing take place together, with motor actions being continuously guided by sensory information.

Conditions

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Sensorimotor Integration and Post-Facilitation Stretch	Sensorimotor integration is facilitated by positioning the child in a seated posture and instructing them to use both feet to retrieve toys from a water-filled bucket and transfer them to another container. Other sensory motor integration activities involve play dough, hand imprinting etc.
OTHER	Post-Facilitation Stretch	Gastrocnemius and soleus stretch (standing and supine) Ankle dorsiflexion with resistance (manual or band-assisted)

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-02-20
• Primary completion: 2026-05-01
• Completion: 2026-06-01
• First posted: 2026-03-20
• Last updated: 2026-03-30

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Pakistan