Article

The purpose of this study was to investigate postural control in children with
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) during static and dynamic postural challenges. We
evaluated postural sway during quiet stance and the center of pressure (COP)
shift mechanism during gait initiation for 13 children with ASD and 12
age-matched typically developing (TD) children. Children with ASD produced 438%
greater normalized mediolateral sway (p<0.05) and 104% greater normalized
anteroposterior sway (p<0.05) than TD children. Consequently, normalized sway
area was also significantly greater (p<0.05) in the group with ASD. Similarly,
the maximum separation between the COP and center of mass (COM) during quiet
stance was 100% greater in the anteroposterior direction (p<0.05) and 146%
greater in the resultant direction (p<0.05) for children with ASD. No significant
difference was observed in the mediolateral direction, in spite of the 123%
greater separation detected in children with ASD. During gait initiation, no
group differences were detected in the posterior COP shift mechanism, suggesting
the mechanism for generating forward momentum is intact. However, significantly
smaller lateral COP shifts (p<0.05) were observed in children with ASD,
suggesting instability or an alternative strategy for generating momentum in the
mediolateral direction. These results help to clarify some discrepancies in the
literature, suggesting an impaired or immature control of posture, even under the
most basic conditions when no afferent or sensory information have been removed
or modified. Additionally, these findings provide new insight into dynamic
balance in children with ASD.
CI - Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS