The Physiological Effects of IPAD Digital Games on Children with Autism

Abstract

<jats:p>Background: Previous studies found that the use of an iPad® in intervention programmes benefited the skills of daily living of children with autism. The purpose of the study was to determine the physiological changes in children while playing action and strategy games on an iPad. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted using Powerlab 24/6T, a blood pressure monitor, respiratory belt, and finger pulse transducer. The children were asked to play two types of game. The duration for each game was 10 minutes. The measurement of blood pressure - both systolic and diastolic, heart rate and breathing rate were taken at three consecutive times (before, during and after each game). The inclusion criteria are children aged 7 to 12 years old who have been diagnosed with a mild type of autism (Pervasive developmental disorder). The exclusion criteria were children who had co-morbidities such as epilepsy, migraine, heart, and lung problems, depression, physical disabilities and visual impairments.  Results: Nineteen children with autism participated in this study. The result indicated that the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased before and after playing strategy games and action games. However, compared to pre-play values, the mean heart rate and breathing rate decreased both during and after playing both types of game. Meanwhile, there was significant mean difference for breathing rate for both types of game (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Playing strategy and action games did not affect the measured physiological parameters of children with autism. </jats:p>