Mobile device applications and treatment of autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The current study was performed to assess the evidence for effects of therapeutic intervention with mobile device applications (apps) for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). DESIGN: The main methodology of the current study was systematic review with meta-analysis. SETTING: Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for mobile device apps for individuals with ASD were considered for review in the current study. PATIENTS: The target population was individuals clinically diagnosed with ASD. INTERVENTIONS: Applications that are operable on a smart (mobile) device and interactive with users. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcomes were based on standardised mean differences in pretrial and post-trial scales in each control and intervention group. RESULTS: Out of a total of 1100 studies (after duplicate removal), 7 RCTs were selected for final analysis. Of the seven studies, two RCTs were further analysed for effects based on the visual and fine motor subscales of the Mullen Scales of Early Learning, which favoured the intervention groups (standardised mean difference (SMD)=0.41, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.80; SMD=0.41, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.80), without either having any heterogeneity (p>0.1) or publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: Although it is still early to draw a conclusion, available studies are showing promise for use of mobile device apps for treatment of individuals with ASD. More well-designed and large-scale studies focused on improving behavioural symptoms of ASD are warranted. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42019128362.
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Several studies indicate beneficial effects of mental health applications for autism spectrum disorder, with the majority targeting a range of outcomes such as social and communication skills in children.
“Several studies indicate beneficial effects of MHAs for ASD, with the majority targeting a range of outcomes such as social and communication skills in children (48, 50, 51).”
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“Several studies indicate bene fi cial effects of MHAs for ASD, with the majority targeting a range of outcomes such as social and communication skills in children (48, 50, 51).”
Background
- Authors
- Moon, S. J., Hwang, J., Hill, H. S., Kervin, R., Birtwell, K. B., Torous, J., McDougle, C. J., & Kim, J. W.
- Affiliations
- Ewha Womans University (KR)
- Daegu University (KR)
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (US)
- Harvard University (US)
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (US)
- Corresponding author
- Moon, Sun Jae
- ORCID
- Venue
- Archives of Disease in Childhood
- Publisher
- BMJ
- Published
- 2019-12-17
- Volume
- 105
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 458-462
- ISSN
- 0003-9888 (ISSN-L)
- 1468-2044
- OpenAlex
- W2994629047
- Cited by
- 38
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 5
- FWCI
- 0.32
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Archives of Disease in Childhood (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, mobile application, digital therapeutics, autism treatment, Mullen Scales of Early Learning, visuomotor skills, fine motor skills, behavioural symptoms, early childhood autism
- MeSH terms
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Humans, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Treatment Outcome, Mobile Applications
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