A Meta-analysis of Parent Training Program in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder for Digital Therapeutics

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this meta-analysis study was to systematically investigate the extant literature on parent training and to evaluate its effectiveness on children’s language and communication skills, and to identify the difference of effect sizes between tele-therapy and in person therapy.Methods: Seven electronic databases, RISS, DBpia, Academic Search Complete, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, ERIC, PsyINFO, and PudMed were searched through to July 2022 for analysis. Using Meta-Analysis (CMA3: comprehensive meta-analysis version 3, 2022), a systematic literature review approach was taken to analyze 21 studies which met the inclusion and exclusion criteria of our research. Effect sizes for children’s language and communicative skills were analyzed via the random effect model.Results: There were three main findings. First, parent training programs had a small effect size on language ability in children with ASD. Second, tele-therapy had higher effect size than inperson therapy. Lastly, two intervention models, Pivotal Response Treatment and ABA, showed large treatment effects.Conclusion: The results from the present study suggest that parent training programs are helpful for children with ASD in increasing language ability. Tele-therapy showed more efficacy than the in-person therapy. These findings support the efficacy of tele-therapy compared with in-person therapy. Therefore, this study provides preliminary evidence for the use of a digital therapeutics.