The effect of eight weeks corrective games on the rate of navicular bone drop, attention deficit, static and dynamic balance of children with autism spectrum with flat feet

Background and aims: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by challenges in communication and social interaction, as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of eight weeks of corrective games on the rate of navicular bone drop, attention deficit, and both static and dynamic balance in children with flat feet who were on the autism spectrum. Methods: In a quasi-experimental study with control group, 20 autistic boys aged 7 to 12 years with flat feet were purposefully selected and randomly divided into two groups: a corrective games group (n=10) and a control group (n=10). A caliper ruler, Conner's questionnaire, and the Bruininks-Oseretsky test were utilized to evaluate navicular drop, attention deficit, and static and dynamic balance, respectively. The corrective games were conducted for eight weeks under the supervision of a trainer. Covariance analysis and paired t-tests were employed to assess differences between and within groups. Results: After the corrective games, there was a significant decrease in navicular drop and in attention deficit (p<0.05). Additionally, static and dynamic balance improved significantly (p<0.05) in boys on the autism spectrum with flat feet following participation in the corrective games. In contrast, the control group showed no significant differences. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that corrective games positively impact navicular drop, attention deficit, and both static and dynamic balance, thereby improving the overall stability of autistic children with flat feet. It is recommended that trainers and occupational therapists incorporate these corrective games into their practices.