Comparing the Effect of Risperidone, Virtual Reality and Risperidone on Social Skills, and Behavioral Problems in Children with Autism: A Follow-up Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Improving behavioral and social problems in children with autism requires extensive training programs even with parents at home. The main goal of this study is to design a virtual reality (VR) intervention based on the TEACCH method in combination with risperidone to evaluate its effectiveness on social and behavioral problems. Methods: Forty-three children with autism (6-12 years old) randomly were divided into three groups: risperidone (n = 15), risperidone + VR (n = 15), and control (n = 13). The interventions lasted for 3 months (90 sessions) and post-test assessments were done immediately after intervention. Follow up tests were done 3 months after that. Results: Risperidone + VR group showed significant differences in social skills (MD = 36.59; 95% CI: 30.74 to 38.42, P < 0.001, ŋ2 = 1.51 in post-test; MD = 19.63; 95% CI: 17.27 to 21.63, P < 0.001, ŋ2 = 0.86 in follow up); and behavioral symptoms (MD = -36.12 ; 95% CI: -39.72 to -36.91, P < 0.001, ŋ2 = 1.99 in post-test; MD = -28.82 ; 95% CI: -29.43 to -25.32, P < 0.001, ŋ2 = 1.58 in follow up) compared to the control group. However, the risperidone group showed significant differences in social skills (MD = 2.03; 95% CI: 0.82 to 3.67, P < 0.001, ŋ2 = 0.12) and behavioral symptoms (MD = -36.66; 95% CI: -38.96 to -34.27, P < 0.001, ŋ2 = 1.96) only in post-test. Thus, the experimental groups did not have any significant difference in post-test. Conclusion:Combined interventions such as VR can enhance the effectiveness of risperidone response and boost children's preparedness to practice and learn social interaction.

Using Virtual Reality Interventions to Promote Social and Emotional Learning for Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The longest intervention lasted for three months and consisted of 90 45-min sessions. This study divided participants into three groups, VR, VR and medication, and control, and was the only study that used medication [45]. Most of the studies (72%) involved two or more interventions, possibly because a single intervention is rarely effective for a child with a disorder.…”