The analysis of three-dimensional ground reaction forces during gait in children with autism spectrum disorders

• Published in: Research in developmental disabilities Vol. 66; pp. 55 - 63
• Main Authors: Hasan, Che Zawiyah Che, Jailani, Rozita, Md Tahir, Nooritawati, Ilias, Suryani
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2017
• Subjects: Autism Spectrum Disorder - diagnosis; Autism Spectrum Disorder - physiopathology; Autism Spectrum Disorder - psychology; Autism spectrum disorders (ASD); Biomechanical Phenomena; Child; Female; Gait; Gait analysis; Gait pattern; Ground reaction force (GRF); Humans; Imaging, Three-Dimensional - methods; Malaysia; Male; Neurologic Examination - methods; Postural Balance; Statistics as Topic; Vertical GRF; Walking - physiology; Walking - psychology; Autism spectrum disorders (ASD); Gait pattern; Vertical GRF; Ground reaction force (GRF); Gait analysis
• ISSN: 0891-4222; 1873-3379
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2017.02.015

•New dimension of gait analysis in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).•Quantitative analysis of three-dimensional (3D) ground reaction forces (GRF) of children with ASD.•Novel gait features to distinguish gait patterns of children with ASD.•Significant GRF gait impairments during stance phase of walking.•Results provide useful information to the clinicians in improving therapy plans. Minimal information is known about the three-dimensional (3D) ground reaction forces (GRF) on the gait patterns of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the 3D GRF components differ significantly between children with ASD and the peer controls. 15 children with ASD and 25 typically developing (TD) children had participated in the study. Two force plates were used to measure the 3D GRF data during walking. Time-series parameterization techniques were employed to extract 17 discrete features from the 3D GRF waveforms. By using independent t-test and Mann-Whitney U test, significant differences (p<0.05) between the ASD and TD groups were found for four GRF features. Children with ASD demonstrated higher maximum braking force, lower relative time to maximum braking force, and lower relative time to zero force during mid-stance. Children with ASD were also found to have reduced the second peak of vertical GRF in the terminal stance. These major findings suggest that children with ASD experience significant difficulties in supporting their body weight and endure gait instability during the stance phase. The findings of this research are useful to both clinicians and parents who wish to provide these children with appropriate treatments and rehabilitation programs.