The cause of idiopathic toe walking (ITW) remains unclear, though impaired sensory processing has often been hypothesized to be linked to ITW.ObjectivesThe objective of this article is to review the literature on toe-walking to identify how sensory processing contributes to ITW.Data SourcesFour databases (CINAHL, Pubmed, PsychINFO, and SCOPUS) were searched for papers related to sensory processing and ITW published...
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
No actionable change for audiology practice; vestibular screening of idiopathic toe walkers may be worth considering in multidisciplinary assessments, but evidence remains preliminary and this is primarily a pediatric/orthopedic concern.
A possible vestibular processing component in idiopathic toe walking could expand the role of audiologists and vestibular specialists in multidisciplinary pediatric teams.
- 01Scoping review and exploratory meta-analysis on sensory processing in idiopathic toe-walking children.
- 02Identifies possible vestibular processing differences as a contributing factor.
- 03Evidence base is early-stage; findings are exploratory rather than conclusive.
- 04Implications for audiologists relate to vestibular assessment in pediatric populations.
- 05Multidisciplinary collaboration may be needed to address sensory differences in affected children.
Children with idiopathic toe walking show sensory processing differences compared to typical peers, potentially including vestibular processing.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42698309
- DOI
- 10.1177/19437676261464097.
- Journal
- Journal of the American Academy of Audiology
- Publication type
- review
- Evidence level
- 2a
- Population
- Children with idiopathic toe walking
- Intervention
- Sensory processing assessment in children with idiopathic toe walking
- Comparator
- Typically developing children
Primary outcomes
Sensory processing differences between toe-walking children and typical peers; Vestibular processing characteristics in idiopathic toe-walking children