Objective measurement of movement variability using wearable sensors predicts ASD outcomes in infants at high likelihood for ASD and ADHD.
Rujuta B Wilson, Sitaram Vangala, Rachel Reetzke and 3 others
PMID 38747403WHAT IT FOUND
Lower ankle movement variability was associated with later ASD at 18, 24, and 36 months in a family-risk cohort.
It added prediction beyond family history but did not separate ASD from ADHD concerns or predict ADHD.
Key findings
01Lower movement curvature from ankle accelerometers was associated with later ASD outcomes at 18, 24, and 36 months.
02Movement curvature predicted ASD outcome status at 18, 24, and 36 months, and at 18 and 24 months it added predictive value beyond family likelihood group.
03Movement curvature was a poor predictor of ADHD concerns and did not significantly distinguish ASD from ADHD concerns.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The ASD outcome group had only 19 children and the ADHD concerns group had only 17, so it may not show whether curvature works in larger samples. The 12-month data came from seated structured testing, so it may not have captured the child's full movement repertoire. Motion was recorded from one ankle, so the measure may miss how other body parts move. Adjusting for Mullen DQ made curvature nonsignificant, so general developmental level may explain part of the finding. The measure did not distinguish ASD from ADHD concerns, so it may not help separate these two outcomes.
Declared interests
The authors declared no biomedical financial interests or potential conflicts. The paper lists NIH extramural and non-U.S. government research support.
The easy way to misread this
Do not use low movement curvature as a clinical diagnosis of ASD or ADHD. The ASD outcome group had only 19 children and the ADHD concerns group had only 17, and curvature did not separate ASD from ADHD concerns. It also became nonsignificant after adjusting for Mullen DQ.