Achilles Tendon and Ankle Characterization in Adults With Autism

June 9, 2026 updated by: Gali Dar, University of Haifa
This study aims to identify ankle structural and functional profiles associated with sensory responsiveness and toe walking in adults with ASD. Expected outcomes include detecting group differences between adults with ASD and matched controls and identifying associations among sensory responsiveness, toe-walking status, and objective ankle measures.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Detailed Description

This study aims to examine ankle musculoskeletal characteristics in adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

A cross-sectional, community-based comparative study will enroll 80 adults aged 18-40, including 40 adults with ASD recruited in partnership with a supported residential community and 40 age- and sex-matched controls. Participants will complete a single assessment session evaluating ankle musculoskeletal characteristics, including tendon structure using ultrasonographic tissue characterization (UTC), ankle strength and range of motion, proprioceptive discrimination using the AMEDA apparatus, and assessment of current and past toe walking, alongside quantitative evaluation of sensory responsiveness using a validated questionnaire (Sensory Responsiveness Questionnaire - SQR). Group comparisons will evaluate differences in ankle structure and function, and association analyses will evaluate relationships among sensory responsiveness, toe-walking status, and ankle measures within the ASD group. Findings will inform the identification of preliminary clinical indicators to support the development of future community-based screening and physiotherapy interventions.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

80

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

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

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

diagnosis of ASD, or with another diagnosis that includes features of ASD and healthy adult

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • a diagnosis of ASD, or with another diagnosis that includes features of ASD (such as fragile x),
  • independent in daily activities,
  • live alone,
  • have a moderate-high level of functioning.
  • Ability to understand basic instructions for performing the tests, signing an informed consent form or having a guardian sign an informed consent form

Exclusion criteria:

  • other neurological diseases (e.g., CP, multiple sclerosis),
  • significant orthopedic injuries to the lower limb in the past year,
  • previous ankle or Achilles tendon surgeries,
  • additional diseases that may affect the structure of the Achilles tendon and ankle,
  • who have not signed an informed consent form or are not interested in participating in the study

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

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Autism
Adult with Autism
healthy control
healthy adult

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Achilles tendon
Time Frame: baseline
Achilles tendon structure via an ultrasound tissue characterization device
baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
sensory responsiveness
Time Frame: baseline
Sensory Responsiveness Questionnaire. scale from 58-290 when higher score represent increased responsiveness
baseline
ankle joint range of motion
Time Frame: baseline
range of motion measured by goniometer in degrees
baseline
ankle joint muscle strength
Time Frame: baseline
ankle joint muscle strength measured by hand held dynamometer (in KgF)
baseline
toe walking
Time Frame: baseline
The presence of toe walking via observation on gait (presence / absence)
baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

University of Haifa

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 (Estimated)

August 10, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 3, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 3, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 9, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 11, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 9, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 235/26

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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