Intervention Based on Psychomotor Rehabilitation in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD: Effect on Postural Control and Sensory Integration
Imen Ben Hassen,
Rihab Abid,
Fatma Ben Waer,
Liwa Masmoudi,
Sonia Sahli,
Tarak Driss,
Omar Hammouda
Affiliations
Imen Ben Hassen
Research Laboratory, Molecular Bases of Human Pathology, LR19ES13, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax 3026, Tunisia
Rihab Abid
Research Unit, Physical Activity, Sport and Health, UR18JS01, National Observatory of Sport, Tunis 1003, Tunisia
Fatma Ben Waer
Research Laboratory, Education Motricité Sport et Santé EM2S LR19JS01, High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3000, Tunisia
Liwa Masmoudi
Research Laboratory, Education Motricité Sport et Santé EM2S LR19JS01, High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3000, Tunisia
Sonia Sahli
Research Laboratory, Education Motricité Sport et Santé EM2S LR19JS01, High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3000, Tunisia
Tarak Driss
Interdisciplinary Laboratory in Neurosciences, Physiology and Psychology: Physical Activity, Health and Learning (LINP2), UPL, UFR STAPS, Paris Nanterre University, 92001 Nanterre, France
Omar Hammouda
Research Laboratory, Molecular Bases of Human Pathology, LR19ES13, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax 3026, Tunisia
Postural stability and control are essential motor skills for successfully performing various activities of daily living. However, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit significant sensorimotor impairments. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of psychomotricity training on postural control (PC) of children with ASD. We recruited thirty children (age = 8.01 ± 1.2; weight = 31.66 ± 8.1 kg; height = 129.7 ± 10.8 cm) diagnosed with ASD (intellectual quotient > 50) to participate in this study. They were divided into two groups: the experimental group (n = 16) and control group (n = 14). Children in the experimental group were trained with psychomotor activities two times a week for nine weeks. Statistic postural balance was assessed before and after intervention and on different vision conditions. The results showed that the psychomotor training significantly improved PC in standing position under different conditions when compared to the control group, in all parameters (CoPA; CoPLX; CoPLy) (p < 0.01). Our preliminary findings suggest the usefulness of the psychomotor training in children with ASD on static PC.