Combined Effects of Sensorimotor Integration and Post-facilitation Stretch in Autism Spectrum Disorder

March 25, 2026 updated by: Riphah International University

Combined Effects of Sensorimotor Integration and Post-facilitation Stretch on Toe Walking and Foot Posture in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

To determine the effects of sensory motor integration and post facilitation stretch on toe walking and sensory processing behaviors using Foot Posture Index and Sensory Profile respectively.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disease that involves communication, social interaction and language in different ways. The autism toe walker is affected by outside world contact refusal: touching the ground as little as possible, trying to avoid any contact. The pathological walking caused by myotendinous retraction of the sural muscles bilaterally, succeeding in transforming an equine "attitude" into structured clubfoot walking. Many therapy options have been described: no treatment, physical therapy or casting to stretch the gastrocnemius, soleus, and Achilles' tendon, surgical lengthening of the gastrocnemius, soleus and Achilles tendon, blocking plantar flexion.

Sensorimotor integration is the process by which motor behaviors and sensory system processing take place together, with motor actions being continuously guided by sensory information.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

36

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • Pakistan
    • Punjab Province
      • Islamabad, Punjab Province, Pakistan
        • Recruiting
        • Fauji Foundation Hospital
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
          • Momina Tahir, MSOMPT*
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Momina Tahir, MSOMPT*

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Children with diagnosed Mild Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Presenting with toe walk as a prominent feature of Autism Spectrum Disorder (e.g., more than 50% of steps observed during a gait assessment). Toe walking should be entirely because of Achilles tightness.
  • Able to follow simple verbal commands.
  • Sufficient gross motor skills present.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Toe walking due to neurological (e.g., cerebral palsy, spina bifida, peripheral neuropathy) or orthopedic disorders (e.g., clubfoot, leg length discrepancy > 1 cm, hip dysplasia, contractures not related to idiopathic toe walking) and other behavioral factors that could be the primary cause of toe walking will be excluded.
  • History of Achilles tendon surgery or lower limb surgery.
  • Current participation in another physical therapy intervention targeting gait or posture
  • Severe behavioral/sensory issues that would interfere with treatment sessions i.e. severe Autism Spectrum Disorder with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder as well as mental retardation.
  • Non-ambulatory children.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Other: Post-Facilitation Stretch

Gastrocnemius and soleus stretch (standing and supine)

• Ankle dorsiflexion with resistance (manual or band-assisted)
Other: Post-Facilitation Stretch
Gastrocnemius and soleus stretch (standing and supine) Ankle dorsiflexion with resistance (manual or band-assisted)
Experimental: Sensorimotor integration and Post facilitation stretch
Sensorimotor integration is facilitated by positioning the child in a seated posture and instructing them to use both feet to retrieve toys from a water-filled bucket and transfer them to another container. Other sensory motor integration activities involve play dough, hand imprinting etc.
Other: Sensorimotor Integration and Post-Facilitation Stretch
Sensorimotor integration is facilitated by positioning the child in a seated posture and instructing them to use both feet to retrieve toys from a water-filled bucket and transfer them to another container. Other sensory motor integration activities involve play dough, hand imprinting etc.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Foot Posture Index (FPI-6)
Time Frame: 4 weeks

The Foot Posture Index (FPI) is a clinical tool used to assess and quantify the posture of the foot.

Each of the six criteria is scored on a scale, typically from -2 to +2, with negative scores indicating supination, positive scores indicating pronation, and zero representing a neutral position. The individual scores are then summed to provide a total FPI score, which can range from -12 (highly supinated) to +12 (highly pronated).
4 weeks
Universal Half Goniometer
Time Frame: 4 weeks
Goniometers are a type of instrument used for precisely measuring angles. Goniometers consist of a graduated semicircle or full-circle where the measurements of angles are read, and two arms that meet at the vertex at the center of the semicircle or circle.
4 weeks
Sensory Profile (Short Form)
Time Frame: 4 weeks
The Short Sensory Profile (SSP) is a caregiver questionnaire used to assess sensory processing patterns in children, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It helps identify how children respond to various sensory stimuli and how these responses might impact their daily lives. The SSP is a shortened version of the Sensory Profile, designed for children aged 3 to 10 years.
4 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Riphah International University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Maria khalid, MSOMPT, Riphah International University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

February 20, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

May 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

June 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 16, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 16, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

March 20, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 30, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 25, 2026

Last Verified

March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • REC/Momina Tahir/02288

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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