Effects of Exergaming on Gait and Fall Risk in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Detailed Summary

Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized as a neurodevelopmental disorder, with motor symptoms that may predispose to falls and gait changes. Exercises through virtual reality (exergaming) showed good results in children with ASD, but no studies were found that evaluated the effects of exergaming on gait and the risk of falls. Objective: To evaluate the effects of exergaming on motor performance during gait and the risk of falls in children with ASD. Method: Pilot study of a clinical trial. There will be 22 participants, diagnosed with ASD, level I or II; age: 5 to 9 years old; that they do not use medications that interfere with postural balance and falls; without physiotherapy care for at least 2 months. They will be divided into Exergaming Group (EG, n=11) and Control Group (GC, n=11). The GC will receive guidance through booklets. The EG will be submitted to a treatment with exergaming for 3 months, with 2 weekly sessions of 45 min each (initial 10 min, 25-30 of exergaming with the Xbox360 console with Kinect sensor and game "Kinect Adventures!", 5 min of cool down ). They will be assessed using CARS-BR (Childhood Autism Rating Scale - Brazilian version), DCDQ (Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire), EEP (Pediatric Equilibrium Scale), a semi-structured questionnaire to assess the history of falls and prevalence of falls, an adapted motivational scale for ASD, a satisfaction survey, and three-dimensional assessment of gait through the Gait Laboratory. Descriptive analysis will be performed and continuous variables will be summarized in mean and standard deviation, and categorical variables in absolute and relative frequencies. To compare the independent and paired variables, parametric tests will be used and a significance level of 5% will be considered (p \<0.05). Pearson's correlation will be used to assess correlations between continuous variables and the Chi square test to assess the relationship between categorical variables. Expected results: It is expected that children from the EG will obtain better results than the CG on gait variables and the risk of falling, with clinical and statistical significance.

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