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NCT Number: NCT06943274

SWOC Activities on Balance, Gait and Endurance in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by challenges in social communication, social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and restrictive interests.

Affecting 0.2-2% of children, ASD often includes motor growth retardation, which worsens over time. The disorder is more commonly diagnosed in boys, and its cause is believed to be genetic, with environmental stimuli potentially activating certain genes. This study aims to explore the effects of Standardized Walking Obstacle Course (SWOC) activities on balance, gait, and endurance in children with ASD, seeking to discover novel treatment techniques that could enhance clinical practices and improve motor skills in these children.

This randomized controlled trial will be conducted over 10 months, with data collected from the Lahore Autism Center and PSRD hospital in Lahore, Punjab. The sample will include 44 children with confirmed ASD, aged 8 to 12 years, divided into two groups: one undergoing SWOC activities and the other receiving conventional physiotherapy. Interventions will occur 4 days a week for 30-40 minutes each day. Pre- and post-treatment measurements will be taken using the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and Functional Gait Assessment (FGA).

Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 24, with statistical significance set at P = 0.05.

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Key information

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Mental Disorders Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Age range

8 year–12 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Rising Sun Institute

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54900, Pakistan

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Muhammad Asif Javed, MS-PT(Neuro)

CONTACT

[email protected]

923224209422

About this study

4 weeks treatment plan.

Group A: A randomized controlled trial investigate the effect of a standard walking obstacle course activities on balance, gait and endurance in children with ASD. Activity could include navigating obstacles of varying height and width balancing on beam, stepping over hurdles and walking on different surfaces. 2-3 times for 4 weeks. Balance beam Stepping stones Hurdle Markers Soft Mats Balance activities Gait and Endurance activities

Group B: Either receive no interventions or engages in a different form of physical activities that doesn't focus on balance gait and endurance e.g standard physical education activities like walking, running climbing, jumping along with applied behavioral therapy, speech therapy and customized physical therapy. 2-3 times for 4 weeks.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Children with confirmed diagnosis of ASD.
  • Age of patients 8 to 12 year.
  • Both male and female.
  • Fall less than 15 times in 30 seconds in Flamingo balance scale test.

Exclusion criteria

  • Severe physical impairment.
  • Severe intellectual impairment.
  • Comorbid conditions that could prevent participation.

Treatment and study plan

Standardized Walking Course Activities

Other

A randomized controlled trial investigate the effect of a standard walking obstacle course on balance, gait and endurance in children with ASD. Activity could include navigating obstacles of varying height and width balancing on beam, stepping over hurdles and walking on different surfaces.

  • Balance activities
  • Gait activities
  • Endurance activities Start with easier task and end with difficulties. SWOC activities performs 2 to 3 times a week for 4weeks.

Common Physical Activities

Other

Either receive no interventions or engages in a different form of physical activities that doesn't focus on balance gait and endurance e.g standard physical education activities like walking, running, climbing, jumping along with applied behavioral therapy, speech therapy and customized physical therapy.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pediatric Berg's balance scale for balance assessment

    Time frame: Baseline, 4th week

    The Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), a modification of Berg's Balance Scale, was developed as a balance measure for school-age children with mild to moderate motor impairments.

    Scoring of PBS is from 0 to 56 and more scores means balance is good and less scores indicated poor balance.intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) model 3,1 = 0.998 or individual items Kappa Coefficients, k = 0.87 to 1.0; Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficients, r = 0.89 to 1.0 (21).

    3.8.2.

  2. 6-minute walk test

    Time frame: Baseline, 4th week

    The 6-minute walk test is a submaximal exercise test used to quantify the functional exercise capacity in clinical populations. Test-retest reliability was undertaken in 52 subjects, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (95% confidence interval) was calculated as 0.94 (0.89-0.96).

  3. Gait outcome assessment list

    Time frame: Baseline, 4th week

    Gait outcome assessment is used to measure and analyze an individual's walking ability, commonly employed in clinical settings for rehabilitation assessment or functional evaluation. It involves scoring parameters like speed, stride length, cadence, and balance during walking tests. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) is 0.89.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

IMRAN AMJAD, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

9233224390125

Muhammad Asif Javed, MS-PT

CONTACT

[email protected]

923224209422

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Standardized Walking Obstacle Course (SWOC) Activities on Balance, Gait and Endurance in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Apr 24, 2025
Registry last updated
Apr 24, 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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