EFFECT OF SENSORY-MOTOR INTEGRATION TRAINING ON BALANCE AND FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Abstract

Purpose: Those with ASD suffer from difficulties with balance, postural control, coordination, and functional mobility. The use of sensory-motor integration in addition to traditional physical therapy may provide additional benefit. The purpose of this research is to find out the effect of the combination of sensory-motor integration with traditional physical therapy on the balance and functional mobility of those with ASD.

Methods: Randomized controlled trial study was carried out on 60 children with ASD at Step Ahead Autism Centre, Lahore. Participants were equally divided into two groups through the process of sealed envelope method. Group 1 was exposed to sensory-motor integration along with traditional physiotherapy, while Group 2 was exposed only to traditional physiotherapy. The sessions were 25 to 30 minutes long, performed four times a week for four months. Balance was measured through the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), while functional mobility was measured by performing TUG test both pre and post-intervention.

Results: There were also observed statistically significant within-group improvements in terms of BBS and TUG (p < .001). Specifically, in Group 1, the BBS increased from 34.77 ± 2.70 to 41.77 ± 2.87, and TUG reduced from 14.64 ± 1.43 to 10.95 ± 1.69 seconds. In turn, in Group 2, BBS increased from 36.06 ± 3.19 to 40.36 ± 3.24, and TUG decreased from 15.28 ± 1.58 to 13.38 ± 1.80 seconds.

Conclusion: Improvement was seen in both treatment groups concerning balance and functional mobility. More significant numerical changes were noted in the treatment group where sensory-motor integration training was done alongside the traditional physical therapy sessions. This indicates that sensory-motor integration training can add more value to the lives of children with ASD.