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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07163949

Balance And Foot Posture In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

The position of the ankle and foot is known as foot posture, and this can have an impact on balance and mobility. Previous research has shown that differences in foot structure and posture between different populations can have a significant impact on balance. However, to our knowledge, no study has examined the relationship between foot posture, anthropometry, muscle strength, and balance in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This study was therefore designed to analyse these relationships.

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Key information

Conditions

Autism Disorder Autism Spectrum Disorder Autistic Disorder Balance Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Congenital Abnormalities Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities Foot Anomalies Foot Deformities Foot Deformities, Congenital Limb Deformities, Congenital Lower Extremity Deformities, Congenital Mental Disorders Musculoskeletal Abnormalities Musculoskeletal Diseases Neurodevelopmental Disorders Posture

Age range

5 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

University of Health Sciences

Ankara, 06018, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 5-18.
  • Clinical diagnosis of ASD.

Exclusion criteria

  • Lack of parental consent;
  • Use of assistive devices;
  • Presence of vision or hearing loss;
  • Use of medications known to impair motor function, such as antipsychotics, stimulants or anticonvulsants;
  • Having undergone any lower extremity injury or surgery in the past six months;
  • Not being able to follow the commands necessary to obtain the study data.

Treatment and study plan

Performance-based tests (such as TUG, foot posture measurements, Tandem Gait test) will be administered to children with ASD.

Other

Children with ASD underwent balance and foot measurement tests that they could perform only by following instructions.

Primary outcomes

  1. Foot Posture Assessment

    Time frame: Baseline

    Foot Posture Assessment: Children's foot posture will be assessed using the Foot Posture Index (FPI-6), which is valid for pediatric individuals. The Foot Posture Index is a scale consisting of a total of 6 items related to the posture of the rear foot and forefoot. These items are talar head palpation, the position of the inclinations above and below the lateral malleolus, the position of the calcaneus, ballooning in the talonavicular joint region, the structure of the medial longitudinal arch, and the abduction/adduction of the forefoot relative to the rearfoot. The total score in this assessment tool ranges from -12 to 12.

  2. Timed Up and Go (TUG) test

    Time frame: Baseline

    Timed Up and Go (TUG) test: For this test, individuals are seated in a chair. The individual is asked to stand up from the chair without assistance, walk three meters on the marked floor, walk back to the chair, and sit down again. The stopwatch is started with the "start" command and stopped when the individual sits down. The TUG time is recorded in seconds (s).

  3. One-Leg Standing Test

    Time frame: Baseline

    One-Leg Standing Test: During this test, which is used to assess an individual's static balance, the subject will be asked to lift one leg without touching the supporting leg, keeping their eyes open, and the time spent on one leg will be recorded in seconds.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Foot-Ankle Anthropometric Measurements

    Time frame: Baseline

    Foot-Ankle Anthropometric Measurements: For the foot-ankle anthropometry of patients, foot length (cm), metatarsal width (cm), and navicular drop height (cm) will be assessed with and without body weight applied to the foot.

  2. Foot Muscle Strength

    Time frame: Baseline

    Foot Muscle Strength: Foot plantar flexion and dorsiflexion muscle strength will be assessed using a digital hand dynamometer.

  3. Tandem Walking Test

    Time frame: Baseline

    Tandem Walking Test: The tandem walking test is used to assess dynamic balance. The subject will be asked to walk along a line drawn on the floor, with the heel of one foot touching the toe of the other foot. The duration of the tandem walk will be measured for each walk, consisting of 10 steps. If balance is lost and the participant is unable to complete 10 steps, the number of steps taken and the duration will be recorded.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Gulhane School of Medicine

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Balance In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Role Of Foot Posture And Anthropometry

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Sep 9, 2025
Registry last updated
Sep 9, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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