A Pilot Study Comparing Postural Control in Adolescents With and Without Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Evaluation...

This pilot study aimed to examine postural control characteristics in adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), who often show atypical postural regulation due to sensory integration challenges. While sensory factors have received increasing attention, few studies have investigated postural sway under different environmental conditions, particularly auditory stimulation. The primary objective was to compare the center of pressure (COP) sway between adolescents with and without NDDs under open-eye, closed-eye, and auditory conditions. Secondary objectives included evaluating directional sway (X- and Y-axis) and the specific effects of auditory input.

This cross-sectional pilot study included nine adolescents with NDDs and 37 typically developing (TD) peers. Physical measurements (height, weight, BMI, joint laxity, grip strength, knee extension strength) and postural control were assessed. Static standing balance was measured barefoot for 30 seconds in three conditions (open eyes, closed eyes, auditory stimulation with a non-rhythmic piano composition) using a force plate. Each condition was measured once for 30 seconds. COP parameters included total path length, path length per unit area, and directional displacement. Between- and within-group comparisons were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, with exact p-values, effect sizes (r), and 95% confidence intervals reported.

Adolescents with NDDs exhibited significantly lower grip and knee extension strength than TD peers (p < 0.001, r = 0.47-0.68). COP sway was significantly greater in the NDD group under auditory stimulation (p < 0.001, r = 0.71). Within both groups, sway increased significantly under auditory stimulation compared to the open-eyes condition (p < 0.001, r = 0.25-0.52).

This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that adolescents with NDDs demonstrate increased postural sway under auditory stimulation, which may reflect sensory integration difficulties and reduced muscular control. Given the small and heterogeneous sample, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Larger and more homogeneous studies are needed to confirm the observed associations and to clarify the role of auditory input in postural stability among youth with developmental disorders.