Use of Augmented Reality with a Motion-Controlled Game Utilizing Alphabet Letters and Numbers to Improve Performance and Reaction Time Skills for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The Application of Extended Reality in Treating Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children, characterized by social interaction, communication difficulties, and repetitive and stereotyped behaviors. Existing intervention methods have limitations, such as requiring long treatment periods and needing to be more convenient to implement. Extended Reality (XR) technology offers a virtual environment to enhance children's social, communication, and self-regulation skills. This paper compares XR theoretical models, application examples, and intervention effects. The study reveals that XR intervention therapy is mainly based on cognitive rehabilitation, teaching, and social-emotional learning theories. It utilizes algorithms, models, artificial intelligence (AI), eye-tracking, and other technologies for interaction, achieving diverse intervention outcomes. Participants showed effective improvement in competency barriers using XR-based multimodal interactive platforms. However, Mixed Reality (MR) technology still requires further development. Future research should explore multimsodal interaction technologies combining XR and AI, optimize models, prioritize the development of MR intervention scenarios, and sustain an optimal intervention level.

A network meta-analysis of the effect of physical exercise on core symptoms in patients with autism spectrum disorders

Objective

To compare the effects of various sports exercise programs on the core symptoms of patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Methods

We searched the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP databases, Wanfang databases, Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases from their inception to February 2023 for randomized controlled trial that investigated the effect of sports exercise on the core symptoms of ASD. The overall risk of bias in the included literature was summarized using the revised Cochrane Randomized Trial Risk of Bias Tool (ROB2), and network meta-analysis was used to compare the intervention effects.

Results

A total of 30 studies involving 1,375 participants were included. The results showed that sports exercise programs, including 8-12 weeks of ball sports (SMD = -5.35, 95%CI: -7.57, -3.23), horse riding (SMD = -3.71, 95%CI: -6.18, -1.13), 8-12 weeks of comprehensive sports exercise (SMD = -2.17, 95%CI: -3.99, -0.44), and more than 12 weeks of comprehensive sports exercise (SMD = -3.75, 95%CI: -6.33, -1.24), significantly improved social interaction disorders. Furthermore, 8-12 weeks of ball sports (SMD = -4.36, 95%CI: 2.04, 6.73) and more than 12 weeks of comprehensive sports exercise (SMD = 3.65, 95%CI: 1.40, 6.08) significantly improved repetitive behaviors and restricted interests.

Conclusion

Sports exercise can improve the core symptoms of ASD patients, and different symptoms show a selective response to different exercise elements.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42023455806.

Involving autism stakeholders in identifying priorities for interventions based on augmented reality

PURPOSE

Literature supports the use of technological tools such as augmented reality, 3 D avatars and mobile devices to improve individuals with autism spectrum disorder skills. Possibilities of including these technological tools in intervention and the critical issues related to intervention design are essential research questions. The aim of the current work is to present an interdisciplinary research study on the design of an autism intervention considering these technologies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study used qualitative evidence and thematic analysis to identify the main design guidelines. A semi-structured interview was administered to a total of twenty participants representing four stakeholder categories: ASD, clinicians, therapists and caregivers. Interviews focussed on three dimensions related to user, technology and environment since they represent a complex system within which the individual using technology is situated.

RESULTS

Thematic analysis of the interviews identified a total of 10 themes considered central to the design of the technological intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Since the application of technology in autism intervention is a relatively new area, the guidelines related to the potential incentives and barriers of the proposed technology are helpful to inform future treatment studies.Implications for RehabilitationThis study highlights the strengths and barriers associated with the use of smartphones and augmented reality in autism spectrum disorder interventions considering the dimensions within which the user using assistive technology is located.Strengths and major concerns that emerged are key points to consider during the development of the technological intervention.Considering these points can foster the use of technology within the intervention and promote its effectiveness.

Slower Processing Speed in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analytic Investigation of Time-Based Tasks

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition affecting information processing across domains. The current meta-analysis investigated whether slower processing speed is associated with the ASD neurocognitive profile and whether findings hold across different time-based tasks and stimuli (social vs. nonsocial; linguistic vs. nonlinguistic). Mean RTs of ASD and age-matched neurotypical comparison groups (N = 893 ASD, 1063 neurotypical; mean age ASD group = 17 years) were compared across simple RT, choice RT, and interference control tasks (44 studies, 106 effects) using robust variance estimation meta-analysis. Simple RT tasks required participants to respond to individual stimuli, whereas choice RT tasks required forced-choice responses to two or more stimuli. Interference control tasks required a decision in the context of a distractor or priming stimulus; in an effort to minimize inhibitory demands, we extracted RTs only from baseline and congruent conditions of such tasks. All tasks required nonverbal (motor) responses. The overall effect-size estimate indicated significantly longer mean RTs in ASD groups (g = .35, 95% CI = .16; .54) than comparison groups. Task type moderated effects, with larger estimates drawn from simple RT tasks than interference control tasks. However, across all three task types, ASD groups exhibited significantly longer mean RTs than comparison groups. Stimulus type and age did not moderate effects. Generalized slowing may be a domain-general characteristic of ASD with potential consequences for social, language, and motor development. Assessing processing speed may inform development of interventions to support autistic individuals and their diverse cognitive profiles.

Technologies to support the diagnosis and/or treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders: A systematic review

In recent years, there has been a great interest in utilizing technology in mental health research. The rapid technological development has encouraged researchers to apply technology as a part of a diagnostic process or treatment of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs). With the large number of studies being published comes an urgent need to inform clinicians and researchers about the latest advances in this field. Here, we methodically explore and summarize findings from studies published between August 2019 and February 2022. A search strategy led to the identification of 4108 records from PubMed and APA PsycInfo databases. 221 quantitative studies were included, covering a wide range of technologies used for diagnosis and/or treatment of NDDs, with the biggest focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The most popular technologies included machine learning, functional magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalogram, magnetic resonance imaging, and neurofeedback. The results of the review indicate that technology-based diagnosis and intervention for NDD population is promising. However, given a high risk of bias of many studies, more high-quality research is needed.

Use of augmented reality in mental health-related conditions: A systematic review

Objective

Augmented reality (AR) is a relatively new technology that merges virtual and physical environments, augmenting one's perception of reality. AR creates a computer-generated environment that evokes a unique perception of reality, where real and virtual objects are registered with one another, which operates interactively and in real time. Recently, the medical application of AR technology has dramatically increased with other assisted technologies, from training to clinical practice. The ability to manipulate the real environment extensively has given AR interventions an advantage over traditional approaches. In this study, we aim to conduct a systematic review of the use of AR to have a better understanding of how the use of AR may affect patients with mental health-related conditions when combined with gamification.

Method

This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines by searching Pubmed and Web of Science databases.

Results and Conclusion

We identified 48 relevant studies that fulfill the criteria. The studies were grouped into four categories: Neurodevelopmental disorders, anxiety and phobia, psychoeducation & well-being, and procedural & pain management. Our results revealed the effectiveness of AR in mental health-related conditions. However, the heterogeneity and small sample sizes demonstrate the need for further research with larger sample sizes and high-quality study designs.

Human reaction time in a mixed reality environment

Over the last few years applications based on the use of immersive environments, where physical and digital objects coexist and interact, have gained widespread attention. Thanks to the development of new visualization devices, even at low cost, and increasingly effective rendering and processing techniques, these applications are reaching a growing number of users. While the adoption of digital information makes it possible to provide immersive experiences in a number of different applications, there are still many unexplored aspects. In this work, a preliminary step to understand the impact of the scene content on human perception of the virtual 3D elements in a mixed reality has been performed. To this aim, a subjective test was designed and implemented to collect the reaction time of a set of users in a mixed reality application. In this test each user was asked to wear an augmented reality headset and to catch a virtual objects randomly appearing in the subject's field of view. We first estimated the detection accuracy through omitted, anticipated, and completed responses; then we related stimulus location, scene content and estimated accuracy. For this purpose, the area of stimulus presentation was divided into upper, lower, right, left, inner, and outer, to understand in which area responses were omitted and anticipated with respect to the central point of view. Experimental results show that, in addition to the saliency of the real scene, natural body gesture technology and limited field of view influenced human reaction time.

Extended Reality (XR) and telehealth interventions for children or adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: Systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies

World Health Organization reported that almost one in 100 children is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) worldwide. Extended Reality (XR) and Telehealth interventions are evident to be effective for ASD treatments. While there is no comprehensive systematic review to summarize and evaluate the evidence for promoting the accessibility of different technology-based treatment regiments. This paper aims to verify the efficacy and validity of XR and Telehealth interventions for children and adolescents with ASD. We reviewed 112 studies from databases of PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library, published in English between January 2010 to April 1st, 2022. We found that after interventions, positive improvements for ASD participants were observed in social interaction, acceptance, and engagement, communication and speech, emotion recognition and control, daily living skill, problem behavior reduction, attention, cost reduction, anxiety symptom reduction, pretend play, contextual processing, match to sample skill, and insomnia control. Our findings provide a solid and positive evidence of XR and Telehealth interventions in improving the treatment outcomes for children and adolescents with ASD. In the future, more research with RCTs and standardized outcome measurements are required to establish the therapeutic efficiency of the two interventions independently or combined.

The application of augmented reality in the learning of autistic students: a systematic and thematic review in 1996–2020

Purpose

More and more diversity is present in our classrooms. As teachers, we must be able to respond to the different levels of learning presented by our students. Therefore, it is necessary to use the new emerging technologies as elements of response. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to develop a systematic and thematic review of the application of augmented reality (AR) in the learning of autistic students in the educational setting during the period 1996–2020 using the Web of Science and Scopus databases.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, one of the bibliometric techniques called systematic and thematic review has been used. This technique is supported by the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews methodology, and it uses a quantitative and qualitative approach. The thematic analysis will be carried out on 28 documents based on a series of indicators, including sample size, hardware devices, way of storing the information and findings obtained in the research.

Findings

The results of the work indicate that the average size of the sample is three participants, and that the most worked area has been social skills using tablets. In addition, bookmarks are often used as an element of information storage in AR.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this work focuses on the establishment of a series of thematic variables that will serve for the later development of an action protocol for the creation of AR activities for autistic students.

The Utilization of Augmented Reality Technology for Sustainable Skill Development for People with Special Needs: A Systematic Literature Review

New technologies such as Augmented Reality can be used to enhance the possibility of obtaining new experiences to assist people with special needs. However, in the literature, there are not enough studies conducted on the use of Augmented Reality as an assistive technology, especially for people with special needs. The purpose of this study is to highlight the use of Augmented Reality technology on people with special needs for skill development. This systematic literature review includes recent and high-quality articles from chosen prestige databases between the years 2010 and 2020. The selected studies which fitted the eligibility selection criteria have been analyzed and synthesized. The study findings reveal the importance of using AR technology to assist individuals with special needs in their skill development process, to help them become more independent. We hope this study will enlighten researchers and the developers of AR tools. It has been recommended that more studies be done on the sustainable use of AR as an assistive technology, particularly for children with special needs, to make their life easier.

Mobile Augmented Reality Technologies for Autism Spectrum Disorder Interventions: A Systematic Literature Review

Over the past decade, enhanced computing capabilities and mobile technologies have begotten the upsurge of innovative mobile health (mHealth) solutions, and many research efforts have occurred recently in the area of technology-based interventions (TBI) for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Mobile augmented reality (MAR) refers to AR systems that use the handheld mobile device medium (mobile phones, tablets or smart glasses). This article reports the results of a systematic review undertaken on the use of MAR for ASD-related skills learning from the year 2010. It aims to provide an insight into the current state of research on MAR interventions and to provide guidance to relevant designers and researchers. We searched seven databases and retrieved 625 articles initially. After exclusion and screening, 36 articles were reviewed reporting on using MAR to improve various skills of children and adolescents with ASD, and 10 research questions related to PICO (P: Population, I: Intervention, C: Comparison, O: Outcomes) were addressed. This study identifies challenges that still exist in the research efforts towards the development of applications exploiting the MAR for ASD interventions: technology issues, research design consideration, subjective assessment etc. The studies examined suggest researchers should focus on users and improve the quality of the MAR app. In addition, more effective research methods and evaluation methods could be involved in future studies to facilitate the development of MAR intervention applications.

Video Games for the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

Video games are a promising area of intervention for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). However, reviews on this topic are scarce. This review on studies exploring video games for the treatment of ASD followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, and its protocol was registered in PROSPERO. PubMed, PsycInfo, Embase, WebOfScience and clinicaltrials.gov databases were searched. Twenty-four articles were included in the review. Video game-based interventions were effective for alleviating ASD symptoms, albeit with small effect sizes. High rates of acceptability and adherence to treatment were obtained. Conclusion: Video games are a promising area for improving the treatment of children with ASD. Exploring commercial video games is one of the lines for future research.

Exploring the Impact of Augmented Reality in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent difficulties in communication and social interaction along with a restriction in interests and the presence of repetitive behaviors. The development and use of augmented reality technology for autism has increased in recent years. However, little is known about the impact of these virtual reality technologies on clinical health symptoms. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the impact of augmented reality through social, cognitive, and behavioral domains in children and adolescents with autism. This study is the first contribution that has carried out an evidence-based systematic review including relevant science databases about the effectiveness of augmented reality-based intervention in ASD. The initial search identified a total of 387 records. After the exclusion of papers that are not research studies and are duplicated articles and after screening the abstract and full text, 20 articles were selected for analysis. The studies examined suggest promising findings about the effectiveness of augmented reality-based treatments for the promotion, support, and protection of health and wellbeing in children and adolescents with autism. Finally, possible directions for future work are discussed.