A wearable heart rate measurement device for children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by early impairment in social and communication domains and autonomic nervous system unbalance. This study evaluated heart rate (HR) as a possible indicator of stress response in children with ASD as compared to children with language disorder (LD). Twenty-four patients [mean age = 42.62 months; SD = 8.14 months,12 with ASD (10 M/2F) and 12 with LD (8 M/4F)] underwent clinical [Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, second edition (ADOS-2)] and physiological evaluation (HR monitoring) during five interactive activities, while wearing an HR measurement device. IQ (ASD:IQ = 103.33 ± 12.85 vs. LD:IQ = 111.00 ± 8.88, p = 0.103) and fluid reasoning on the Leiter-R Scale were within the normal range in all subjects. Increased HR during the third activity (ADOS-2 bubble play) significantly correlated with autistic symptoms (r = 0.415; p = 0.044), while correlations between ADOS-2 total score and HR during the first activity (ADOS-2 free play; r = 0.368; p = 0.077), second activity (Leiter-R figure ground subscale; r = 0.373, p = 0.073), and fifth activity (ADOS-2 anticipation of a routine with objects; r = 0.368; p = 0.076) did not quite reach statistical significance. Applying a linear regression model, we found that the ADOS-2 total score significantly influenced HR variations (p = 0.023). HR monitoring may provide a better understanding of the stress-provoking situations for children with ASD. Furthermore, it could help clinicians detect the impact of the stressful condition on the autistic core and adress treatment strategy.

Use of Mobile and Wearable Artificial Intelligence in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Scoping Review

“…Most studies (11/19, 58%) [ 20 - 22 , 24 - 28 , 33 , 36 , 38 ] focused on how the use of wearable devices could be used to aid in the treatment, behavioral prediction, and diagnosis of children with ASD. Although each study analyzed patients with ASD, the objectives and methods varied greatly among the studies.…”

“…Although each study analyzed patients with ASD, the objectives and methods varied greatly among the studies. Several studies used ECG chest straps [ 20 - 22 , 24 , 25 , 28 ] for the most part to categorize the autonomic nervous system responses in patients with ASD during various tasks. For example, a study by Bilecci et al [ 20 ] used ECG strap during a joint attention stimuli in toddlers with ASD.…”

Behavioral gender differences across Pre-School Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: a cross-sectional study

“…The research group was composed of medical doctors and rehabilitation professionals of the Department of Human Neurosciences, together with the Rehabilitation and Outcome Measures Assessment (ROMA) association. This research group has published diverse studies on ASD populations (Auletta et al, 2020;Catino et al, 2017;Cavalli et al, 2022;Pittella et al, 2018;Manti, Giovannone, & Sogos, 2019;Fioriello et al, 2020;Berardi et al, 2021;D'Alvia et al, 2020;Tofani et al, 2019).…”

Morphing Task: The Emotion Recognition Process in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…ASD is known to be associated with difficulties in using facial expressions to convey emotions and deficits in emotional reciprocity [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Difficulties in understanding emotions through facial expressions affect a person’s ability to appropriately respond to different situations [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ].…”

“…The recognition of facial expression involves dynamic and multimodal phenomena. The transformation of the face from a neutral expression sends complex signals, which are converted into emotions [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ].…”