Level of autistic traits in neurotypical adults predicts kinematic idiosyncrasies in their biological movements.

Introduction: Over the last decade of research, a notable connection between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and unique motor system characteristics has been identified, which may influence social communication through distinct movement patterns. In this study, we investigated the potential for features of the broader autism phenotype to account for kinematic idiosyncrasies in social movements expressed by neurotypical individuals. Methods: Fifty-eight participants provided recordings of point-light displays expressing three basic emotions and completed the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). We extracted kinematic metrics from the biological movements using computer vision and applied linear mixed-effects modeling to analyze the relationship between these kinematic metrics and AQ scores. Results: Our results revealed that individual differences in the total AQ scores, and the sub-scale scores, significantly predicted variations in kinematic metrics representing order, volume, and magnitude. Discussion: The results of this study suggest that autistic traits may intricately influence the movement expressions at the microlevel, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of the potential endophenotypic characteristics associated with social movements in neurotypical individuals.

Postural balance control interventions in autism spectrum disorder (ASD): A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Postural control (PC) disturbances in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are associated with its severity. Varied sensorimotor interventions have been used for the management of these symptoms. However, there is a lack of a review elucidating all the available postural control interventions in ASD. RESEARCH QUESTION: To comprehensively present the variety of interventions targeted at improving PC in ASD and to provide future research recommendations. METHODS: PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, Cochrane, ScienceDirect and Web of Science databases were searched for publications examining the effects of PC targeting interventions in those with ASD. Included articles were in English, published after 2000 in the peer-reviewed journals with full text available and used intervention targeted at improving PC or balance with a predefined objective outcome measure for accessing PC or balance. Initial database search yielded 1022 studies and 21 articles were included in this review after screening. RESULTS: We identified diverse PC interventions including animal assisted therapies, karate/martial arts, aquatic exercises, virtual reality-based training, standard and customized exercises, and physical activity programs. The effect of long- and short-term interventions on PC improvement in children and adults with ASD is mixed. Future research should focus on undertaking randomized controlled trials with large sample size and participants with varying severity of ASD to improve generalizability of the study findings. The lack of population-specific, reliable, and validated motor outcome measures including neuro-imaging techniques should be addressed. SIGNIFICANCE: While many of the interventions improved PC in those with ASD, the sample size and methodological quality of the studies was highly variable. There are limited studies exploring the long-term effects of the interventions. Rigorous study methods with population-specific objective outcome measures are warranted to draw generalizable conclusions regarding the PC interventions in individuals with ASD.

Simulated practice effects on the transfer and retention of gait sequences from the upper to the lower extremity.

This study investigated transfer of training from upper extremity limbs (the index fingers) to the lower extremity limbs (the legs) for performance of three gait sequences of different difficulty. Fifteen subjects participated in the study. Subjects in an iPad training group practiced by sequentially moving their left-and right-hand index fingers across tiles to each of three targets displayed on an iPad for 20 trials. Subjects in a gait training group practiced by sequentially walking across tiles to each of the 3 targets displayed on a screen for 20 trials. A no practice group did not receive practice trials. Immediately following practice of each level of difficulty, a transfer test (20 trials) was given for which subjects walked to the target just practiced. A retention test of 36 trials (12 trials at each difficulty level) was administered 20 min following performance of the last transfer test trial. The retention test showed that reaction times were shorter for the iPad training than gait training and no training groups; anticipatory postural adjustment times were equivalent for the iPad and gait training groups, but shorter than for the no training group; and movement times were shorter for the iPad training group than for the gait training and no training groups. These results suggest that iPad training (upper extremity) followed by performance of gait training (lower extremity) had greater benefits for learning (as measured by the delayed retention test) the gait sequences than practicing the actual gait sequences themselves.