Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex for Balance and Stimming in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Interventions: Other: conventional treatment; Other: experimental treatment

• Registration Number: NCT06340139
• Lead Sponsor: Riphah International University

Brief Summary

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that encompasses a number of disorders specifically affecting social skills, Communication and present with Rapid repetitive behaviors. Autism spectrum disorder also presents with inability of body to process sensory information which can causes symptoms such as balance deficits, sensitivity to certain sounds or an exaggerated reaction to a normal stimulus. Autism spectrum disorder can affect the quality of life of an individual to a severe extent. This disorder due to sensory processing deficits also shows difficulty in motor planning, coordination and execution of tasks which can make performing activities of daily living highly difficult to perform. It is called a developmental disorder because it affects the growth. Milestones are often delayed in individuals with autism. Due to these deficits individual with autism if not provided with therapies at the right age can stay dependent on caretaker for their whole life. Rapid repetitive behaviors also known as self-stimulatory behaviors are a way to compensate with anxiety, difficulty in processing sensory information and are often used to stimulate themselves to feel calm. Though not a diagnostic symptom autism often still presents with vestibular dysfunction which affects the balance. Several individuals with autism have showed abnormal vestibular ocular reflexes; abnormally long latency of saccades. Rehabilitation protocol of Autism often includes symptomatic treatment and several therapy protocols such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, applied behavior analysis therapy and play therapy.

Detailed Description

Stimming behaviors and balance deficits play a huge role in life of an individual with autism. There is indeed a huge gap and lack of literature on how or if exercise protocols from physical therapy can influence balance and reduce stimming behaviors. Although, Previous studies have recommended that Balance and stimming are directly related and that vestibular dysfunction plays a huge role in frequency of stereotyped stimming behaviors. The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of Vestibulo Ocular reflex exercises on balance and frequency of stimming. This study will also influence how a physical therapist can improve quality of life of an individual with autism by reducing their stimming behavior. Earlier studies also mentioned that Vestibular ocular reflex is affected in kids with autism. Hence this study can play an important role in determining the direct connection between these behaviors, Vestibular ocular reflex and balance.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2024-03
• Study Start: 2024-03-20
• Study First Submitted: 2024-03-25
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-03-25
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-03-25
• Study First Posted: 2024-04-01
• Last Update Posted: 2024-04-01
• Primary Completion: 2024-07-20
• Study Completion: 2024-08-20

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 44

Inclusion Criteria

• Age 13-18 years
• Both male and female
• Diagnosed Autism Spectrum disorder.
• Visual and/or Vestibular stimming diagnosed by physician.

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Exclusion Criteria

• Patients diagnosed with other neurological diseases
• Tumors or neoplasms
• Visual and auditory impairments
• Inability to respond to verbal command through verbal or non-verbal communication cues.

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Conventional Treatment	conventional treatment	Conventional treatment group will receive Trampoline jumping, gym ball exercises, sensory diet (joint compressions, deep pressure, head massage) for 4 days a week for 6 weeks
Experimental treatment	experimental treatment	the Vestibulo ocular reflex exercises added with conventional treatment will be given to the second group. Vestibulo-ocular reflex exercises will be performed in phases with phase 1 being a fixation point and phase 2 including head and eye movements. Vestibulo ocular reflex exercises will be started from a 5-minute duration and gradually increased to 60 minutes duration

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Aberrant behavior checklist	week 6	Widely used to assess treatment effects in individuals with developmental disabilities. - Assess emotional and behavioral problems. -; Consists of 58 items categorized into 5 subscales: social withdrawal, irritability, stereotypic behavior,
Berg Balance Scale (BBS)	week 6	It is often used to assess balance and mobility as well as identify people who are at risk of falling. 14 different balance-related tasks, including sitting, standing, and transferring, are included in the tool. Each factor is scored from 0 to 4, with 0 suggesting significant impairment and 4 denoting the patient's balance system operating normally
Repetitive Behavior Scale - Revised	week 6	Structured and standardized tool for assessing and characterizing repetitive behaviors in individuals with ASD. - Consists of six subscales: Stereotyped Behavior, Self- Injurious Behavior, Compulsive Behavior, Routine Behavior, Sameness Behavior, and Restricted nterests. - Uses a Likert scale for rating frequency and intensity (0 to 3).
Functional Reach Test	week 6	A static balance test called the functional reach test is frequently used to evaluate a subject's level of balance when they are standing.The reach distance during this has been used as a measurement for determining fall risk

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

zamam autism Centre; 🇵🇰 Islamabad, Pakistan