Dual-Task Gait and Balance Training Integrated With Sensory-Motor Interventions for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Comprehensive Narrative Review

TL;DR

This review examines how combining dual-task gait and balance training with sensory-motor interventions can improve motor and cognitive skills in children with autism.

Contribution

The paper introduces an integrated approach combining dual-task and sensory-motor interventions for children with ASD, highlighting its potential for functional improvement.

Findings

Integrated interventions significantly improve motor proficiency, postural control, and dynamic balance in children with ASD.

Technology like virtual reality and wearable sensors enhances engagement and personalization in training.

Benefits include improved attention and executive function, supported by prefrontal cortical activation evidence.

Abstract

Motor impairments, common in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), significantly affect their developmental trajectories, impacting balance, coordination, and gait. Traditional interventions often fail to address the interconnected motor, cognitive, and sensory challenges in ASD. This narrative review explores the efficacy of integrated dual-task gait and balance training combined with sensory-motor interventions, emphasizing their potential to enhance functional outcomes in children with ASD. Following the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) frameworks, a comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar from 2010 to June 2025. The keywords with Boolean operators consisted of “autism spectrum disorder”, AND “dual-task training”, AND “sensory motor integration”, AND “gait training”, OR “balance training”, OR “motor coordination”. The studies reported that integrated dual-task and sensory-motor interventions significantly improve motor proficiency, postural control, and dynamic balance, with measurable gains in standardized assessments. Technology-enhanced modalities, including virtual reality and wearable sensors, enhance engagement and enable personalized progression, fostering neuroplasticity and functional transfer to daily activities. Benefits extend to attention regulation and executive function, supported by neuroimaging evidence of enhanced prefrontal cortical activation. However, challenges include therapist training, resource limitations, and insurance barriers, necessitating innovative solutions like scalable technology and telehealth. Future research should prioritize large-scale trials, standardized measures, and long-term follow-up to optimize protocols and support widespread clinical adoption.

Figures