THE EFFECT OF BALANCE AND STRENGTH TRAINING ON BALANCE IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: A FEASIBILITY STUDY

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this pretest/posttest research study was to find the effect of balance and strength training on balance in autism spectrum disorder. Background: Balance and stability are required to carry out activities of daily living. However, this stability is challenged in autism spectrum disorder, Autistic children lose their balance earlier and are more disturbed in their dynamic balance than normal children, which made them prone to falls. To help achieve balance and stability in autistic kids, certain balance exercises have been designed. This research study focuses on feasibility of these exercises along with strength training and how effective it is in improving balance in autistic kids by comparing the pre and post results of modified timed up and go test (mTUGT) and pediatric balance scale (PBS). Methods: A feasibility study was conducted at The Autism Jewel Peshawar. A sample of 19 participants was selected based on the inclusion criteria that was both male and female participants, age 5-15 years, clinically diagnosed autism spectrum disorder, Paediatric balance scale score less than 45, Timed up and go score greater than 6.7 seconds, Able to walk/ high functional. The modified TUGT and PBS were checked pre and post exercises application for any improvement. Data of 18 participants after a period of 4 weeks was obtained as the remaining 1 was the kid who dropped out of the research study. The data was analysed using SPSS version 23. Results: The mean age for this study was 6.97 years±2.17, of which 77.8% were boys and 22.2% were girls. The mean pre- modified TUGT was 11.05 seconds±1.86 seconds and mean post- modified TUGT was 8.33seconds±1.74 while the mean pre-PBS was 40.50±2.74 and post PBS was 50.50±4.50 at 95% confidence interval the results were statistically significant. Conclusion: The results of this pre/post-test design study propose that balance and strength training can improve balance in ASD population. By comparison of the results to the proposed effectiveness in different research studies we conclude that our results were statistically significant.