Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42493851›Full record

ArticleJournal of paediatrics and child health2026

Investigating the Relationship Between Sensory Processing, Pain and Toe Walking Gait: A Survey Study.

Jack H Donne, Verity Pacey, Desiree Polt, Jennifer A Powell, Michael C Fahey, Cylie M Williams

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of paediatrics and child health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Jack H DonneSchool of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8364-5079
Verity PaceySchool of Health Sciences and Nursing, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Desiree PoltParent Team Member, Junction City, Kansas, USA.
Jennifer A PowellSchool of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Michael C FaheyDepartment of Paediatrics, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0811-4785
Cylie M WilliamsSchool of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0223-9141

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimThis study aimed to examine sensory processing patterns, the frequency and impact of parent-reported pain in children who toe walk across a range of diagnoses using validated caregiver-report tools.

methodsAn online cross-sectional survey was distributed internationally between July 2024 and March 2025. Parents of children who toe walk aged 3-14 years, regardless of diagnosis, completed the Short Sensory Profile (SSP) and the Child Activity Limitations Interview-9 (CALI-9).

resultsThe survey collected responses from 176 parents of 187 children with toe walking gait. Sensory processing challenges were frequently reported, particularly in children with autism spectrum disorder (98%). Nearly half (48% of 187) of children were reported to experience pain, most frequently in the feet/ankles, lower legs, and hips/thighs. Most parents (94%) and their child's medical professional (81%) attributed their child's pain to toe walking. Parents of children experiencing pain described significantly greater limitations in activities such as sports (OR 3.10, p < 0.001), running (OR 3.46, p < 0.001), and social participation (OR 2.43, p < 0.001).

conclusionSensory processing differences and pain were frequently reported among children who toe walk in this sample. Routine assessment of sensory processing and pain in clinical practice may guide targeted interventions to improve participation, function, and quality of life.

Indexed as

GaitPainToesWalkingAdolescentChildChild, PreschoolCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleParentsSurveys and Questionnairespaediatricspainsensory processingsurveytoe walking

Identifiers

PMID42493851
PMCPMC13617236

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.