Balance, TMJ, Social Adaptive Assessment in Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Summary

The aim of our study is to evaluate temporomandibular joint (TMJ), cervical posture, balance, dual-task performance, and social adaptation skills in individuals with autism. The study will be conducted at Bartın Lider Special Education and Rehabilitation Center following the approval of the ethics committee. Individuals determined by the sample size calculated through power analysis will be included in the study. First, the socio-demographic characteristics (age, height, body weight, body mass index, education level, exercise and smoking habits, etc.) of the participants who voluntarily join the study will be recorded. Participants will be divided into two groups: individuals with typical motor development and those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and the same assessment tools will be used for both groups. Individuals with typical motor development will serve as the control group.

The assessment tools include the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, the 10-Meter Walk Test, the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale, the PostureScreen Android-based posture assessment application, and the Helkimo Clinical Dysfunction Index for craniomandibular disorders. Based on the evaluation results, the relationships between TMJ, cervical posture, functional balance, dual-task performance, and social adaptation skills in individuals with autism will be analyzed and compared with those of individuals with typical motor development.

Conditions

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
• Postural; Defect

Interventions

OTHER

Dual Task

The dual-task abilities of individuals will be assessed by adding motor and cognitive tasks to the 10-Meter Walk Test. The tasks given to participants are as follows: Single Motor Task (comfortable walking): The individual is asked to walk at a normal pace, and the time is recorded. Motor-Motor Dual Task: The individual carries a half-filled water bottle in each hand while walking, and the time is recorded. Motor-Cognitive Dual Task (mental): The individual counts backward from 10 in increments of one while walking, and the time is recorded. Motor-Cognitive Dual Task (memory): The individual is asked to recall three previously mentioned words while walking, and the time is recorded.

OTHER

Functional Balance

Functional balance will be assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. The TUG test measures the time it takes for an individual to stand up from a chair upon the "ready, go" signal, walk a distance of 3 meters, turn around, walk back to the chair, and sit down again. The TUG test is a reliable and sensitive measure of balance and functional mobility in children. At the beginning of the test, participants will be seated on an armless chair with their hips and knees flexed at approximately 90 degrees and their feet flat on the ground. The children will be instructed to stand up from the chair, walk as quickly as possible, touch a target on the wall, walk back, and sit down again.

OTHER

Social Adaptation Assessment

Adaptive behavior will be evaluated using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. This is a parent interview designed to assess functionality in daily life. Specifically, adaptive behavior is evaluated in four domains: Communication, Daily Living Skills, Socialization, and Motor Skills. The Vineland scales are known for their reliability and up-to-date validity. They have been reported to be sensitive to the challenges faced by children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

OTHER

Cervical Posture Assessment:

Cervical posture will be evaluated using the Android-based PostureScreen Mobile application (version 8.5, developed by Posture Co. Inc., USA). This application assesses the static posture of individuals. After determining reference points, the application draws reference lines and records postural deviations. At least two photos of each participant will be taken for the assessment. Participants should not wear clothing items that cover the neck (e.g., scarves, shawls). While the primary focus of the application is to assess postural deviations, it also includes a dental evaluation feature. The validity and reliability of the application have been established in previous studies. In addition to using the application, the posture of individuals will also be evaluated through observational analysis, and the findings will be documented.

OTHER

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Assessment

The TMJ will be evaluated using the Helkimo Clinical Craniomandibular Index. This index consists of five subcategories: pain during muscle palpation, pain during TMJ palpation, pain during mandibular functions, TMJ functions (sounds, gliding during maximum opening, dislocation and/or locking), and the mandibular range of motion. Each subcategory is scored as 0, 1, or 5, resulting in a total score ranging from 0 to 25. As this index is based on performance measurements, there is no Turkish validity and reliability study for it. However, a prevalence study using this index was conducted in Turkey by Üner et al. to evaluate its applicability within the Turkish population.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kırıkkale University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Meral Sertel, Dr. · Kırıkkale University

Eligibility

Min Age

4 Years

Max Age

21 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-02-15

Primary Completion

2025-01-01

Completion

2025-05-25

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations