Original Research Article
Year: 2023 | Month: July | Volume: 10 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 315-319
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20230743
Effect of Sensorimotor Exercises in Reducing Toe Walking in Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Ramya K1, Senthilkumar M1, Jeyanthi D S2, Sumitha Hemavathy3
1Director, Barath Physio Care, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India
2Director, Mithra Medical Center, Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu, India
3Director, CAPAAR (Center for Advanced Paediatric and Adult Rehabilitation), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Corresponding Author: Ramya K
ABSTRACT
Autism Spectrum disorder is defined as the global developmental disorder characterized by difficulty in social interaction and communication. It is manifested as repetitive patterns of thoughts and behavior. Toe walking is one of the most common initial sign exhibited by autism children and is mostly unilateral. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of Conventional Exercises and Sensorimotor Exercises in reducing the toe-walk in autism children. The study was a randomized control trial that included children of both sex between age group 2 & 5 years with a history of recent toe-walk. The subjects without a history of Tendo Achilles contracture and with a good hip flexibility were included. Subjects with a long time history of toe walking and with TA contracture and associated surgical corrections were excluded. Any subject with a diagnosis of Cerebral palsy and Asperger syndrome were excluded. A total of 40 subjects were included in the study who underwent assessment of Foot alignment through photographs, Plantar Foot Pressure through Foot Posture Index-6 and range of motion at ankle through Goniometer. Group A received Conventional exercises and Group B received Sensorimotor exercises for a period of 4 days a week for 8 weeks. At the end of 8th week a post test was done for all the standard tests used in the study. The result of the study shows that the experimental group (Group B) who received sensorimotor exercises showed significant improvement in Foot Alignment and range of motion of both plantar flexion and dorsiflexion while the Control group (Group A) showed improvement only in passive range of motion of dorsiflexion alone. The study helps to conclude that the group which received Sensorimotor exercises improved well. Hence it can be considered as the best of treatment to inhibit toe-walk in autistic children.
Keywords: Autism, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Toe Walk, Physiotherapy for Toe Walk, Sensorimotor exercises.
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