Using Wearable Sensor Technology to Measure Motion Complexity in Infants at High Familial Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Rujuta B Wilson,Beth A Smith,David Elashoff,Tabitha Safari,Sitaram Vangala

doi:10.3390/s21020616

Abstract

Background: Motor dysfunction has been reported as one of the first signs of atypical development in infants at high familial risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (HR infants). However, studies have shown inconsistent results regarding the nature of motor dysfunction and whether it can be predictive of later ASD diagnosis. This is likely because current standardized motor assessments may not identify subtle and specific motor impairments that precede clinically observable motor dysfunction. Quantitative measures of motor development may address these limitations by providing objective evaluation of subtle motor differences in infancy. Methods: We used Opal wearable sensors to longitudinally evaluate full day motor activity in HR infants, and develop a measure of motion complexity. We focus on complexity of motion because optimal motion complexity is crucial to normal motor development and less complex behaviors might represent repetitive motor behaviors, a core diagnostic symptom of ASD. As proof of concept, the relationship of the motion complexity measure to developmental outcomes was examined in a small set of HR infants. Results: HR infants with a later diagnosis of ASD show lower motion complexity compared to those that do not. There is a stronger correlation between motion complexity and ASD outcome compared to outcomes of cognitive ability and adaptive skills. Conclusions: Objective measures of motor development are needed to identify characteristics of atypical infant motor function that are sensitive and specific markers of later ASD risk. Motion complexity could be used to track early infant motor development and to discriminate HR infants that go on to develop ASD.

Highlights

In the first year of life, infants dynamically develop motor skills and achieve major motor milestones such as rolling, crawling, and walking
We evaluated the relationship of the motion complexity score at each motor study time point (3, 6, 9, 12 months of age) to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) concern at 18 months and ASD diagnosis at 36 months and cognitive ability and adaptive skills at 36 months
The motion complexity score at each visit time point showed a range of results in the five HR infants

Summary

Introduction

In the first year of life, infants dynamically develop motor skills and achieve major motor milestones such as rolling, crawling, and walking. The earliest motor skills, such as spontaneous leg movements, emerge and evolve in a way that lays the framework for locomotion [1,2,3] These motor milestones are fundamental areas that caregivers and practitioners can visibly evaluate to determine typical progression of development. In ASD, motor dysfunction has been posited to be one of the earliest signs of risk for later diagnosis [18,19]. Studies have shown inconsistent results regarding the nature of motor dysfunction and whether it can be predictive of later ASD diagnosis. Conclusions: Objective measures of motor development are needed to identify characteristics of atypical infant motor function that are sensitive and specific markers of later ASD risk.

Results

Discussion

Conclusion