Clinical trial NCT06721104: Balance, TMJ, Social Adaptive Assessment in Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Official title: 'Evaluation of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, Balance, Cervical Posture, Dual Task, and Social Adjustment in Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder'
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: RECRUITING
Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
Postural; Defect
Lead sponsor: Kırıkkale University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2024-12-06
Enrollment: 23
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 4
Maximum age (years): 21
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Observational model: CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective: PROSPECTIVE
Sampling method: PROBABILITY_SAMPLE
Study population: The assessments will be conducted at the Physical Therapy Unit of the Lider Special Education and Rehabilitation Center, where voluntary families will be contacted and evaluations will be carried out within the rehabilitation center.

Brief summary: The aim of our study is to evaluate temporomandibular joint (TMJ), cervical posture, balance, dual-task performance, and social adaptation skills in individuals with autism. The study will be conducted at Bartın Lider Special Education and Rehabilitation Center following the approval of the ethics committee. Individuals determined by the sample size calculated through power analysis will be included in the study. First, the socio-demographic characteristics (age, height, body weight, body mass index, education level, exercise and smoking habits, etc.) of the participants who voluntarily join the study will be recorded. Participants will be divided into two groups: individuals with typical motor development and those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and the same assessment tools will be used for both groups. Individuals with typical motor development will serve as the control group.

The assessment tools include the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, the 10-Meter Walk Test, the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale, the PostureScreen Android-based posture assessment application, and the Helkimo Clinical Dysfunction Index for craniomandibular disorders. Based on the evaluation results, the relationships between TMJ, cervical posture, functional balance, dual-task performance, and social adaptation skills in individuals with autism will be analyzed and compared with those of individuals with typical motor development.

Detailed description: It has been stated in the literature that individuals with autism spectrum disorder have postural control deficiency, but there is no study examining the dual task skills of these individuals and the contribution of these skills to social life.

It has been stated in the literature that bruxism can cause TMJ in individuals with normal development, and there are studies related to TMJ's cervical problems and balance. However, there are no studies explaining the relationship between teeth grinding and dental problems in individuals with ASD, temporomandibular joint problems and cervical posture and balance.

Studies suggest that multi-faceted evaluations be made in individuals with ASD. The aim of our study is to evaluate TMJ dysfunction, cervical posture, functional balance, dual task and social adaptation skills in individuals with ASD. In terms of these evaluations, our study has the feature of a pilot study in the literature.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Having a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) confirmed by a physician.
* Currently enrolled in a special education and rehabilitation center.
* No vision problems.
* Ability to understand and follow instructions.
* No cognitive impairments.
* No walking difficulties.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Individuals with comorbid secondary health conditions.
* Individuals who have undergone surgery in the past six months.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Cervical Posture Assessment
timeFrame: At enrollment
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Assessment:
timeFrame: At enrollment
measure: Social Adaptation Assessment:
timeFrame: At enrollment
measure: Functional Balance
timeFrame: At enrollment
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Kırıkkale
country: Turkey
facility: Kırıkkale Universty
Study officials:
affiliation: Kırıkkale University
name: Meral Sertel, Dr.
role: STUDY_CHAIR
References: