Home-based Augmented Reality Storybook Training Modules for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Condition: Autism Spectrum Disorder
MeSH terms: Autistic Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disability with increasing
      prevalence worldwide. The main difficulties include poor social interaction and
      self-regulation skills. Effective interventions are required to improve the social
      interaction skills and emotional regulation of children with ASD. The present study involved
      developing and testing the feasibility and short-term efficacy of the home-based augmented
      reality (AR) training modules for preschool children with ASD. We recruited 15 children with
      ASD (3 to 5 years old). Wilcoxon signed rank test analysis was used to compare the
      differences in emotional functioning and adaptive behavior. Children received 8-week
      home-based AR training modules. Sessions were 20 minutes 4 times a week.
    

Detailed description: 
      Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disability with increasing
      prevalence worldwide. Its symptoms include limitations in social interaction and repetitive
      and restrictive behaviors. These symptoms may result in difficulties in participating in
      daily life and social activities across the lifespan. The main challenges include poor
      communication, social interaction, and emotional regulation skills that can limit and impair
      a person's everyday functioning. Many parents of children with ASD had an increased caregiver
      burden. In addition, the total lifetime cost of autism per individual is about 3.6 million US
      dollars. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop appropriate and effective interventions for
      improving the communication and self-regulation skills of children with ASD. Research has
      increasingly focused on the effectiveness of interventions for children with ASD.
      Nonetheless, research has yet remained an underappreciated concept in different cultural
      contexts. To address these gaps, the present study involved developing and testing the
      feasibility and effectiveness of the home-based Augmented Reality (AR) social story training
      modules for preschool children with ASD. The home-based AR social story training modules are
      designed. We recruited 15 children with ASD (3 to 5 years old). Wilcoxon signed rank test
      analysis was used to compare the differences in emotional functioning and adaptive behavior.
      Children received 8-week home-based AR training modules. Sessions were 20 minutes 4 times a
      week.
    

Intervention name(s): Augmented Reality Storybook
Intervention type(s): Device
Intervention description(s): The AR system was developed using a Vuforia Engine Package for Unity (PTC Inc, San Diego, CA), which enabled to create an application for children to view a storybook in their own homes. The children and caregivers could view eight scenarios (receiving a praise, broken toys, waiting in line at the playground, getting a vaccination, waiting for watching a video, hitting someone in an accident, grabbing a toy, understanding another person's feelings) and learn strategies for emotional events reflected in the tablet (Figure 1). This AR application supports a tablet size of 10.4 inches and is equipped with a Samsung Galaxy Tab A7.
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment