The Benefits of Physical Therapy in the Rehabilitation of Flat Feet in Autism Students between the ages of 10 and 14

Abstract

Introduction: Autism is a syndrome, the causes of which are still being studied. All children are born with flexible flat feet and decrease in flatness with age, but it is not known how flat they should be with each increase in age. Methods: The research was carried out on 10 subjects, aged between 10-14 years, with autism and flat feet. In the rehabilitation program we used: massage of the lower limb, walking exercises, resistance exercises from the positions: supine, prone, sitting and standing, isometric contractions, varied walking and light running, exercises of relaxation combined with breathing exercises, cycling and athletic elements. Results: The results of the averages obtained at the two initial and final tests, an increase in the values at the final test can be observed, both in the left leg and in the right leg. The manual testing of the muscle strength registered averages between 86% - 94% at the initial testing and improved values at the final testing between 94% - 99%. Feiss line testing results show close means for both the left and right legs, and the standard deviation shows a spread of 0.66 at initial testing and 0.67 at final testing for the left leg and 0.55 and respectively 0.56 on the right leg. Discussion: Considering that studies show the connection between flat feet and overweight, the results of our study indicate that autistic students, despite having flat feet, are in the normal weight category. This aspect can be considered favorable in the approach of applied kinetic treatment. The problem of flat feet in subjects with intellectual deficiency is insufficiently studied; therefore our study could constitute an important landmark in this scientific approach. Conclusions: Analyzing the comparative results, it can be concluded that through physical therapy and the associated means, the muscle deficit can be recovered; the joint balance can be improved, reaching a correct posture while walking in autism flatfeet students.

Keywords

• physical therapy
• autism
• flat feet