Effects of Augmented Reality Game-Based Cognitive–Motor Training on Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors and Executive Function in Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) and executive dysfunction are widely acknowledged as core features and hallmarks in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study aimed to investigate the effects of augmented reality (AR) using motivational games with cognitive–motor exercises on RRBs, executive function (EF), attention, and reaction time in patients with ASD. Twenty-four patients (range from 6 to 18 years) diagnosed with ASD were recruited from local social welfare centers and randomly allocated to the AR game-based cognitive–motor training group (study group) or the conventional cognitive training group (control group). Both groups completed 30 min training sessions, twice a week for four weeks. Outcome measures were conducted before and after the intervention. As a result, improvements were observed in all the subscales of the RRBs in the study group except for self-injurious and ritualistic behavior. Significant improvements were observed in EF and reaction time in the study group, which was significantly higher compared to the control group. With the present findings, we can suggest that cognitive–motor training using AR game-based content generates positive effects on improving executive function reaction time and accuracy of responses and has a limited effect on RRBs in patients with ASD. This can be proposed as a complementary intervention associated with individualized daily management.

Effects of exergaming on executive functions of children: A meta-analysis

“…Its main objective is to review and synthesize the ndings of recent experimental exergaming studies. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in our nal analysis [20,21,[26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34]. Overall, our data suggested that exergaming interventions could signi cantly improve executive functions (e.g., cognitive exibility, inhibition control, and working memory) in healthy and special children aged 4-12 years old.…”

Exercise Dependency and Overuse Injuries in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

“…Irrespective of this there are several reasons this might arise. For example, the greater risk could be associated with motor difficulties in ASD including weak neuromuscular interaction (Nadeem et al, 2021) or the restricted and repeated behaviors that can arise (Nekar et al, 2022), which may increase the risk of overuse injury. Recent research has indicated that individuals with ASD also often show symptoms of hypermobility (Nisticò et al, 2022), although it is unclear that being hypermobile increases risk of overuse injury (De Smet et al, 1998; Junge et al, 2015).…”