Autism severity and muscle strength: A correlation analysis

▶ This study examined the relationship between hand grip muscle strength and autism severity. ▶ Thirty-seven (37) children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were evaluated and tested for hand muscle strength using a hand grip dynamometer. ▶ Hand grip strength in children with ASD is...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Research in autism spectrum disorders 2011-07, Vol.5 (3), p.1011-1015
Main Authors: Kern, Janet K., Geier, David A., Adams, James B., Troutman, Melissa R., Davis, Georgia, King, Paul G., Young, John L., Geier, Mark R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age Differences
Autism
Autism severity
Childhood Autism Rating Scale
Children
Correlation
Gender Differences
Grip strength
Human Body
Muscle strength
Muscular Strength
Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Physical Fitness
Racial Differences
Rating Scales
Severity (of Disability)
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Summary:▶ This study examined the relationship between hand grip muscle strength and autism severity. ▶ Thirty-seven (37) children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were evaluated and tested for hand muscle strength using a hand grip dynamometer. ▶ Hand grip strength in children with ASD is related to the severity of the disorder. The current study examined the relationship between muscle strength, as measured by hand grip strength, and autism severity, as measured by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Thirty-seven (37) children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were evaluated using the CARS and then tested for hand muscle strength using a hand grip dynamometer. Statistical analysis was then conducted to examine the relationship between autism severity and hand muscle strength. The model generated in the present study showed that the CARS score is a significant predictor of Max Hand Muscle Score after adjustment for age, race, gender, year of birth, and a history of prior chelation therapy. Evidence suggests that hand grip strength in children with ASD is related to the severity of the disorder. Further research is needed to determine the extent and consistency of the muscle weakness and possible treatments.
ISSN:1750-9467
1878-0237
DOI:10.1016/j.rasd.2010.11.002