Feasibility of a virtual reality-based exercise intervention and low-cost motion tracking method for estimation of motor proficiency in youth with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Background Motor impairment is widely acknowledged as a core feature in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which can affect adaptive behavior and increase severity of symptoms. Low-cost motion capture and virtual reality (VR) game technologies hold a great deal of promise for providing personalized approaches to motor intervention in ASD. The present study explored the feasibility, acceptability and potential efficacy of a custom-designed VR game-based intervention (GaitWayXR™) for improving gross motor skills in youth with ASD. Methods Ten children and adolescents (10–17 years) completed six, 20-min VR-based motor training sessions over 2 weeks while whole-body movement was tracked with a low-cost motion capture system. We developed a methodology for using motion tracking data to quantify whole-body movement in terms of efficiency, synchrony and symmetry. We then studied the relationships of the above quantities with standardized measures of motor skill and cognitive flexibility. Results Our results supported our presumption that the VR intervention is safe, with no adverse events and very few minor to moderate side-effects, while a large proportion of parents said they would use the VR game at home, the most prohibitive reasons for adopting the system for home therapy were cost and space. Although there was little evidence of any benefits of the GaitWayXR™ intervention in improving gross motor skills, we showed several positive correlations between the standardized measures of gross motor skills in ASD and our measures of efficiency, symmetry and synchrony from low-cost motion capture. Conclusions These findings, though preliminary and limited by small sample size, suggest that low-cost motion capture of children with ASD is feasible with movement exercises in a VR-based game environment. Based on these preliminary findings, we recommend conducting larger-scale studies with methods for improving adherence to VR gaming interventions over longer periods.

On the Evaluation of Engagement in Immersive Applications When Users Are on the Autism Spectrum

“…Our results support the accessibility of both devices experimented by all participants. These findings are in line with recent literature suggesting that VR tools are widely accepted and appreciated among individuals with ASD [ 63 , 121 , 122 ]. Furthermore, it is interesting to note that none of our participants reported adverse effects such as discomfort, cybersickness or sensory problems, and all participants completed all scenarios.…”

Motor Proficiency of Children with Typically Developing Children and Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…In fact, the motor functioning in individuals with ASD and detected a pronounced motor impairment among those subjects [10]. Several other authors [2,[11][12][13][14] also confirm the existence of motor deficits in children with the condition. That motor deficits can be divided into two categories: the basic motor control (coordination, gait, posture and muscle tone) and motor performance deficits [15].…”

“…The motor impairments in ASD affect a variety of domains [12], such as balance [18], movement planning [19], gait and postural stability [20], and fine and gross motor coordination [2,21].…”

Virtual reality exercise programs ameliorate frailty and fall risks in older adults: A meta‐analysis

“…Studies over the past decade have explored the use of virtual reality (VR) technology as an innovative approach to rehabilitation 9,10 . Interactive VR exercise programs provide real‐time visual and audio feedback as the user interacts with virtual objects by calibrating the accuracy of motions, postures, speeds, and activity durations 11 . VR exercise programs can be implemented on commercial platforms, such as Wii or Windows.…”