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
Riphah International University
36 participants
Feb 20, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
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.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria4
- Children with diagnosed Mild Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Presenting with toe walk as a prominent feature of Autism Spectrum Disorder (e.g., more than 50% of steps observed during a gait assessment). Toe walking should be entirely because of Achilles tightness.
- Able to follow simple verbal commands.
- Sufficient gross motor skills present.
Exclusion Criteria5
- Toe walking due to neurological (e.g., cerebral palsy, spina bifida, peripheral neuropathy) or orthopedic disorders (e.g., clubfoot, leg length discrepancy \> 1 cm, hip dysplasia, contractures not related to idiopathic toe walking) and other behavioral factors that could be the primary cause of toe walking will be excluded.
- History of Achilles tendon surgery or lower limb surgery.
- Current participation in another physical therapy intervention targeting gait or posture
- Severe behavioral/sensory issues that would interfere with treatment sessions i.e. severe Autism Spectrum Disorder with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder as well as mental retardation.
- Non-ambulatory children.
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Interventions
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.
Gastrocnemius and soleus stretch (standing and supine) Ankle dorsiflexion with resistance (manual or band-assisted)
Locations(1)
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NCT07484347