• The Effect of Using Technology and Educational Programs to Facilitate Physical Activity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Interventional or Trial Study
  • samira eydi,1,* mahshid bahrami,2 meysam karami,3
    1. Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
    2. MsC student, Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
    3. BSc Student, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran


  • Introduction: According to the definition, autism spectrum disorder is any defect in social interactions and person-to-person communication skills. One of the treatment options for this disorder is the use of software called Exercise (EB) Buddy, which is designed by the National Center for Advanced Development of Autism Spectral Disorders. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the EB program in facilitating physiological responses to physical activity through continuous measurements of energy consumption and heart rate relative to the use of routine training and rehabilitation in children with autism.
  • Methods: Six children in the age range of 5 to 10 years were selected using the available sampling method. Each of the participants performed a variety of motor control skills that was determined by the "Gross Motor Development Development" skills test for four weeks (2 times a week). In the EB software part was assigned as a motor skills training. Each time the person's motor skills were taken, energy consumption and heart rate were continuously measured at a 12-minute interval. The Wilcoxon test was used to identify any differences between software education department and how the software was used by the software.
  • Results: The results showed that application of EB software had the highest efficacy in improving motor skills in peak energy consumption (p = 0.038) and peak heart rate (p = 0.023). Also, there was no significant difference between EB-designed control skills and the skills of children with autism (P> 0.05). Indeed, the use of easy-to-use, easy-to-use, easy-to-use, and easy-to-use EB software encourages people to use it in the right way. Also, the use of EB software has improved the physiological response of the body, including improving cardiovascular function in dynamic activities.
  • Conclusion: In sum, the EB program was recognized as a way to improve physiological responses to physical activity by continuously measuring energy consumption and heart rate relative to the use of routine training and rehabilitation in children with autism. But the effect of this program on improving physiological responses needs further investigation and experimental experimental interventional studies with more children with this disorder.
  • Keywords: Disorders, Autism, Motor skills, EB, Technology