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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05458466

The Effect of Pilates on Muscle Strength, Balance Performance, Gross Motor Skills, Social Skills in Children With ASD

The purpose of this randomized controlled study was to determine the effects of Pilates Training by comparing the effects of Aerobic Training on muscle strength, balance performance, gross motor skills and social skills in children with autism.

As a result of this study Aerobic Training and Pilates Training are both effective in the improvement of balance performance and gross motor skills in children with autism, with more improvement in muscle strength in Aerobic Training. Pilates Training could be considered as an alternative training to increase physical activity in children with autism.

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Key information

Conditions

Autism Autism Spectrum Disorder Autistic Disorder Behavior Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Mental Disorders Neurodevelopmental Disorders Social Behavior Social Skills

Age range

7 year–12 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Aydin Efeler Autism Sports Center

Aydin, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

The purpose of this randomized controlled study was to determine the effects of Pilates Training by comparing the effects of Aerobic Training on muscle strength, balance performance, gross motor skills and social skills in children with autism.

As a result of this study Aerobic Training and Pilates Training are both effective in the improvement of balance performance and gross motor skills in children with autism, with more improvement in muscle strength in Aerobic Training. Pilates Training could be considered as an alternative training to increase physical activity in children with autism.

This study will answer whether pilates practice has an effect on Muscle Strength, Balance Performance, Gross Motor Skills and Social Skills in Children With Autism.

Demographic information of the participants was recorded.Muscle strength for shoulder flexors, hip flexors and knee extensors were performed with Hand-held dynamometry.The one-legged standing test was used to evaluate static balance performance.Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMT-2) was used to evaluate gross motor skills of participants. The Autism Social Skills Profile Turkish Form (ASSP- T) was used to evaluate social skills of participants.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Being diagnosed with autism,
  • Not having physical disabilities or neurological disorders,
  • Having the ability to follow the instructions given during evaluations and training,
  • Having the ability to perform the requested training

Exclusion criteria

  • Not being a volunteer,
  • Having a health problem that prevents exercise.

Treatment and study plan

Pilates training

Other

Eighteen children with autism did not meet the inclusion criteria, ten children did not want to participate in the study, and five children were not included in the study due to different reasons. A total of 22 children between the age of 7 and 12 years were participated in this study. The inclusion criteria were (i) being diagnosed with autism, (ii) not having physical disabilities or neurological disorders, (iii) having the ability to follow the instructions given during evaluations and training, and (iv) having the ability to perform the requested training. All parents of participants signed an informed consent form for participation. were divided into two groups including Aerobic Training (n=11) and Pilates Training (n=11) groups by simple randomization method (internet-based). Since one child in the experimental group did not continue Pilates Training, the study was completed with the participation of 21 children with autism.

Other names: Aerobic Training

Primary outcomes

  1. Muscle Strength

    Time frame: immediately after application

    Evaluations of maximal isometric muscle strength for shoulder flexors, hip flexors and knee extensors were performed with Hand-held dynamometry (Jtech Commander PowerTrack II Muscle Tester). Participants were asked to apply the maximum voluntary force they could exert under certain test conditions. Each test procedure for each muscle groups was repeated 3 times, and the best score was used for analysis. The results were recorded for both the right and left side.

  2. Balance

    Time frame: immediately after application

    The one-legged standing test was used to evaluate static balance performance. The participants were asked to maintain a one-legged stance for as long as they can with their eyes open and arms at the side of the trunk. The time recorded in seconds from the moment a foot is lifted off the ground to the moment it touches the ground. The test was performed for right and left side. The participants performed 3 trials, and the longest time was used for analysis

  3. Gross Motor Skills

    Time frame: immediately after application

    The test has two sub-test including locomotor skills tasks such as hopping, sliding, galloping, jumping, running, and the object control skills consists of striking and kicking a stationary ball, dribbling, catching, overhand throwing and underhand rolling. The locomotor skills focus on coordinated movements, while object control skills focus on the child's ability to play with or manipulate balls

  4. Social Skills

    Time frame: immediately after application

    The Autism Social Skills Profile Turkish Form (ASSP- T) was used to evaluate social skills of participants. The test consists of items related to social participation and socially inappropriate behaviors that lead to negative peer relationships. Higher score indicates proficiency in social functions, and lower score indicates inadequacy in social functions

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Aydin Adnan Menderes University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Pilates Training on Muscle Strength, Balance Performance, Gross Motor Skills and Social Skills in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2021
First posted
Jul 14, 2022
Registry last updated
Jul 14, 2022

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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