Virtual reality-based postural balance training in autistic children: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Abstract

This dataset was collected to investigate the effects of an immersive virtual reality-based training administered with Gait Real-time Analysis Interactive Lab (GRAIL) on postural balance of autistic children. A total of 20 autistic participants (6 -13 y/o) were enrolled in a 5-week RCT and received either balance training with the GRAIL system or no training. Specifically, the dataset includes: -Demographic data collected at baseline (Sheet "Demographic data @ baseline"); -Primary outcomes of the study 1. Static balance assessment (Sheet "Static COP") Center of pressure (CoP) displacement parameters collected with the GRAIL system in four different conditions (standing with eyes open – wide feet (EOWF); standing with eyes (actively) closed – wide feet (ECWF); standing with eyes open – narrowed feet (EONF); standing with eyes (actively) closed – narrowed feet (ECNF)). The following metrics are reported at T0 (at baseline) and T1 (follow-up): the sway path length, the area of the 95% confidence ellipse (area CE), the mean velocity of the CoP both in the ML and AP directions (Vel ML, Vel AP), and the jerk metrics. 2. Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (Sheet "MABC-2") Manual Dexterity, Aiming & Catching, Balance and Total scores are reported both at T0 and T1 for each subject. -Secondary outcomes 1.Parent-report Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire ("Sheet DCDQ") Motor control, Fine motor, General coordination, and the Total score are reported both at T0 and T1 for each subject. 2. Balance assessment overground (Sheet "COM") Center of mass sway path length is reported for the four standing conditions both at T0 and T1 for each subject. 3. Reactive balance assessment (Sheet "Reactive CoP") Reactive postural balance to controlled perturbations was measured by means of CoP range displacement during the active perturbation and during the following recovery time, the peak value of CoP, the time to peak (TTP) and the time of recovery (TOR). Features are reported at T0 and T1 for each subject. 4. Gait parameters (Sheet "Gait parameters (Mean values)" and "Gait parameters (std values)") Gait spatio-temporal, kineamatic (ROM of ankle, knee and hip during flexion) and kinetic (power of ankle, knee and hip) and are reported at T0 and T1 for each subject. The mean and standard deviation of every gait parameter were computed by acquiring several steps during the trial. The standard deviation of the collected features was assessed as a measure of gait pattern variability. If you use this dataset please cite the following manucript: Falivene, A.; Scaccabarozzi, G.; Busti Ceccarelli, S.; Molteni, M.; Klingels, K.; Verbecque, E.; Storm, F.A.; Biffi, E.; Crippa, A. Virtual Reality-Based Postural Balance Training in Autistic Children: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14, 5616. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14165616