Assessment and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders with Virtual Reality: A Comprehensive Research Chart

Abstract

Year	Author	Title	Publication	Topic
2019	Zhang L, Weitlauf AS, Amat AZ, et al.	Assessing social communication and collaboration in autism spectrum disorder using intelligent collaborative virtual environments	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders [Epub ahead of print]; DOI: 10.1007/s10803-019-04246-z	Communication assessment
2019	Ravindran V, Osgood M, Sazawal V, et al.	Virtual reality support for joint attention using the Floreo Joint Attention Module: usability and feasibility pilot study	JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting 2:e14429	Joint attention
2019	de Morales IAP, Monteiro CBM, Silvia TDD, et al.	Motor learning and transfer between real and virtual environments in young people with autism spectrum disorder: a prospective randomized cross over controlled trial	Autism Research [Epub ahead of print]; DOI: 10.1002/aur.2208	Motor learning
2019	Newbutt N, Bradley R, Conley I	Using virtual reality head-mounted displays in schools with autistic children: views, experiences, and future directions	Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking [Epub ahead of print]; DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2019.0206	VR acceptability in classrooms
2019	Nijman SA, Veling W, Greaves-Lord K, et al.	Dynamic interactive social cognition training in virtual reality (DiSCoVR) for social cognition and social functioning in people with a psychotic disorder: study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial	BMC Psychiatry 19:272	Social cognition
2019	Miller IT, Wiederhold BK, Miller CS	Virtual reality air travel training with children on the autism spectrum: a preliminary report	Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking [Epub ahead of print]; DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2019.0093	Skill training
2019	Meindl JN, Saba S, Gray M, et al.	Reducing blood draw phobia in an adult with autism spectrum disorder using low-cost virtual reality exposure therapy	Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 32:1446–1452	Phobias
2019	De Luca R, Leonardi S, Portaro S, et al.	Innovative use of virtual reality in autism spectrum disorder: a case study	Applied Neuropsychology: Child [Epub ahead of print]; DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2019	Cognitive training
2019	Maskey M, Rodgers J, Ingham B, et al.	Using virtual reality environments to augment cognitive behavioral therapy for fears and phobias in autistic adults	Autism in Adulthood 1:134–145	Phobias
2019	Maskey M, Rodgers J, Grahame V, et al.	A randomised controlled feasibility trial of immersive virtual reality treatment with cognitive behaviour therapy for specific phobias in young people with autism spectrum disorder	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 49:1912–1927	Phobias
2019	Biffi E, Costantini C, Ceccarelli SB, et al.	Gait pattern and motor performance during discrete gait perturbation in children with autism spectrum disorders	Frontiers in Psychology 9:2530	Motor assessment
2019	Kumazaki H, Warren Z, Swanson A, et al.	Brief report: evaluating the utility of varied technological agents to elicit social attention from children with autism spectrum disorders	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 49:1700–1708	Social attention
2019	Ghanouni P, Jarus T, Zwicker JG, et al.	Social stories for children with autism spectrum disorder: validating the content of a virtual reality program	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 49:660–668	Validated VR social stories
2018	Feng S, Wang X, Fang J, et al.	The uncanny valley effect in typically developing children and its absence in children with autism spectrum disorders	PLoS One 13:e0206343	Design considerations for intervention tools
2018	O'Sullivan M, Kearney G	Virtual reality (VR) technology: empowering managers to reduce and eliminate accessibility barriers for people with autism spectrum disorders	Studies in Health Technology Informatics 256:253–261	Educating employers on autism
2018	Zhao H, Swanson AR, Weitlauf AS, et al.	Hand-in-hand: a communication-enhancement collaborative virtual reality system for promoting social interaction in children with autism spectrum disorders	IEEE Transactions on Human-Machine Systems 48:136–148	Social interaction
2018	Yuan SNV, Ip HHS	Using virtual reality to train emotional and social skills in children with autism spectrum disorder	London Journal of Primary Care 10:110–112	Social skills
2018	Mesa-Gresa P, Gil-Gómez H, Lozano-Quilis JA, et al.	Effectiveness of virtual reality for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: an evidence-based systematic review	Sensors 18:e2486	Systematic review
2018	Amaral C, Mouga S, Simões M, et al.	A feasibility clinical trial to improve social attention in autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) using a brain computer interface	Frontiers in Neuroscience 12:477	Social attention
2018	Saadatzi MN, Pennington RC, Welch KC, et al.	Small-group technology-assisted instruction: virtual teacher and robot peer for individuals with autism spectrum disorder	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 48:3816–3830	Learning vocabulary
2018	Patrick KE, Hurewitz F, McCurdy MD, et al.	Driving comparisons between young adults with autism spectrum disorder and typical development	Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 39:451–460	Driving training
2018	Vahabzadeh A, Keshav NU, Salisbury JP, et al.	Improvement of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in school-aged children, adolescents, and young adults with autism via a digital smartglasses-based socioemotional coaching aid: short-term, uncontrolled pilot study	JMIR Mental Health 5:e25	Attention
2018	Zhang L, Warren Z, Swanson A, et al.	Understanding performance and verbal-communication of children with ASD in a collaborative virtual environment	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 48:2779–2789	Verbal communication
2018	Simões M, Bernardes M, Barros F, et al.	Virtual travel training for autism spectrum disorder: proof-of-concept interventional study	JMIR Serious Games 6:e5	Skill training
2018	Yang YJD, Allen T, Adbullahi SM, et al.	Neural mechanisms of behavioral change in young adults with high-functioning autism receiving virtual reality social cognition training: a pilot study	Autism Research 11:713–725	Social cognition
2018	Zapata-Fonesca L, Froese T, Schilbach L, et al.	Sensitivity to social contingency in adults with high-functioning autism during computer-mediated embodied interaction	Behavioral Sciences 8:E22	Social cognition
2018	Fitzgerald E, Yap HK, Ashton C, et al.	Comparing the effectiveness of virtual reality and video modelling as an intervention strategy for individuals with autism spectrum disorder: brief report	Developmental Neurorehabilitation 21:197–201	Learning
2018	Burke SL, Bresnahan T, Li T, et al.	Using virtual interactive training agents (ViTA) with adults with autism and other developmental disabilities	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 48:905–912	Interview skills
2018	Russo-Ponsaran N, McKown C, Johnson J, et al.	Virtual environment for social information processing: assessment of children with and without autism spectrum disorders	Autism Research 11:305–317	Social information processing
2018	Ross V, Cox DJ, Reeve R, et al.	Measuring the attitudes of novice drivers with autism spectrum disorder as an indication of apprehensive driving: going beyond basic abilities	Autism 22:62–69	Skill training
2018	Duffield TC, Parsons TD, Landry A, et al.	Virtual environments as an assessment modality with pediatric ASD populations: a brief report	Child Neuropsychology 24:1129–1136	Assessment
2018	Fan J, Wade JW, Key AP, et al.	EEG-based affect and workload recognition in a virtual driving environment for ASD intervention	IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering 65:43–51	Learning
2017	Song W, Sun Y, Yu D	Three-dimensional virtual dolphin treatment system for children with autism spectrum disorder	Sheng Wu Yi Xue Gong Cheng Xue Za Zhi [34:602–605	Cognitive training
2017	Zhang L, Wade J, Bian D, et al.	Cognitive load measurement in a virtual reality-based driving system for autism intervention	IEEE Transactions on Human-Machine Systems 8:176–189	Skill training
2017	Amaral CP, Simões MA, Mouga S, et al.	A novel brain computer interface for classification of social joint attention in autism and comparison of 3 experimental setups: a feasibility study	Journal of Neuroscience Methods 190:205–215	Joint attention
2017	Papathomas P, Goldschmidt K	Utilizing virtual reality and immersion video technology as a focused learning tool for children with autism spectrum disorder	Journal of Pediatric Nursing 35:8–9	Learning
2017	Cox DJ, Brown T, Ross V, et al.	Can youth with autism spectrum disorder use virtual reality driving simulation training to evaluate and improve driving performance? An exploratory study	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 67:2544–2555	Skill training
2017	Yang YJD, Allen T, Abdullahi SM, et al.	Brain responses to biological motion predict treatment outcome in young adults with autism receiving virtual reality social cognition training: preliminary findings	Behaviour Research and Therapy 93:55–66	Social cognition
2017	Smith MJ, Smith JD, Fleming MF, et al.	Mechanism of action for obtaining job offers with virtual reality job interview training	Psychiatric Services 68:747–750	Interview skills
2017	Caruana N, MacArthur G, Woolgar A, et al.	Detecting communicative intent in a computerised test of joint attention	PeerJ 5:e2899	Joint Attention
2017	Kuriakose S, Lahiri U	Design of a physiology-sensitive VR-based social communication platform for children with autism	IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering 25:1180–1191	Social communication
2016	White SJ, Richey JA, Gracanin D, et al.	Psychosocial and computer-assisted intervention for college students with autism spectrum disorder: preliminary support for feasibility	Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities 51:307–317	Computer-assisted intervention
2016	Forbes PA, Pan X, de C Hamilton AF	Reduced mimicry to virtual reality avatars in autism spectrum disorder	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 46:3788–3797	Mimicry in VR
2016	Newbutt N, Sung C, Kuo HJ, et al.	Brief report: a pilot study of the use of a virtual reality headset in autism populations	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 46:3166–3176	Acceptability, immersion, and presence
2016	Mundy P, Kim K, McIntyre N, et al.	Brief report: joint attention and information processing in children with higher functioning autism spectrum disorders	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 46:2555–2560	Joint attention
2016	Parsons TD, Carlew AR	Bimodal virtual reality stroop for assessing distractor inhibition in autism spectrum disorders	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 46:1255–1267	Distraction inhibition
2015	Fan J, Wade JW, Bian D, et al.	A step towards EEG-based brain computer interface for autism intervention	Conference Proceedings. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society 2015:3767–3770	Skill training
2015	Smith MJ, Fleming MF, Wright MA, et al.	Brief report: vocational outcomes for young adults with autism spectrum disorders at six months after virtual reality job interview training	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 45:3364–3369	Interview skills
2015	Kuriakose S, Lahiri U	Understanding the psycho-physiological implications of interaction with a virtual reality-based system in adolescents with autism: a feasibility study	IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering 23:665–675	Social communication
2015	Whyte EM, Smyth JM, Scherf KS	Designing serious game interventions for individuals with autism	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 45:3820–3831	VR design considerations
2015	Georgescu AL, Kuzmanovic B, Roth D, et al.	The use of virtual characters to assess and train non-verbal communication in high-functioning autism	Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 8:807	Assessment and training nonverbal communication
2015	Lahiri U, Bekele E, Dohrmann E	A physiologically informed virtual reality based social communication system for individuals with autism	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 45:919–931	Social communication
2015	Kim K, Rosenthal MZ, Gwaltney M	A virtual joy-stick study of emotional responses and social motivation in children with autism spectrum disorder	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 45:3891–3899	Social cognition
2014	Maskey M, Lowry J, Rodgers J, et al.	Reducing specific phobia/fear in young people with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) through a virtual reality environment intervention	PLoS One 9:e100374	Phobias
2014	Smith MH, Ginger EJ, Wright K, et al.	Virtual reality job interview training in adults with autism spectrum disorder	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 44:2450–2463	Interview skills
2014	Bekele E, Crittendon J, Zheng Z, et al.	Assessing the utility of a virtual environment for enhancing facial affect recognition in adolescents with autism	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 44:1641–1650	Emotion recognition
2014	Stichter JP, Laffey J, Galyen K, et al.	iSocial: delivering the Social Competence Intervention for Adolescents (SCI-A) in a 3D virtual learning environment for youth with high functioning autism	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 44:417–430	Social learning
2013	Wang M, Reid D	Using the virtual reality-cognitive rehabilitation approach to improve contextual processing in children with autism	Scientific World Journal 2013:71689	Contextual processing
2013	Bekele E, Zheng Z, Swanson A, et al.	Understanding how adolescents with autism respond to facial expressions in virtual reality environments	IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics 19:711–720	Emotion recognition
2013	Lahiri U, Bekele E, Dohrmann E, et al.	Design of a virtual reality based adaptive response technology for children with autism	IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering 21:55–64	Social communication
2013	Kandalaft MR, Didehbani N, Krawczyk DC, et al.	Virtual reality social cognition training for young adults with high-functioning autism	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 43:34–44	Social cognition
2012	Greffou S, Bertone A, Hahler EM, et al.	Postural hypo-reactivity in autism is contingent on development and visual environment: a fully immersive virtual reality study	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 42:961–970	Motor assessment
2011	Lahiri U, Warren Z, Sarkar N	Design of a gaze-sensitive virtual social interactive system for children with autism	IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering 19:443–452	Social interaction
2011	Pitskel NB, Bolling DZ, Hudac CM, et al.	Brain mechanisms for processing direct and averted gaze in individuals with autism	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 41:1686–1693	Social interaction
2008	Herrera G, Alcantud F, Jordan R, et al.	Development of symbolic play through the use of virtual reality tools in children with autistic spectrum disorders: two case studies	Autism 12:143–157	Symbolic play
2007	Mitchell P, Parsons S, Leonard A	Using virtual environments for teaching social understanding to 6 adolescents with autistic spectrum disorders	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 37:589–600	Social skills
2002	Trepagnier C, Sebrechts MM, Peterson R	Atypical face gaze in autism	Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking 5:213–217	Emotion recognition
2002	Parsons S, Mitchell P	The potential of virtual reality in social skills training for people with autistic spectrum disorders	Journal of Intellectual Disability Research 46:430–443	Social skills
1997	Hirose M, Kijima R, Shirakawa K, et al.	Development of a virtual sand box: an application of virtual environment for psychological treatment	Studies in Health Technology Informatics 44:113–120	Assessment
1997	Max ML, Burke JC	Virtual reality for autism communication and education, with lessons for medical training simulators	Studies in Health Technology Informatics 39:46–53	Coping skills
1996	Strickland D, Marcus LM, Mesibov GB, et al.	Brief report: two case studies using virtual reality as a learning tool for autistic children	Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 26:651–659	Acceptability testing

Footnotes

Funding Information

This report was funded by the Gerald T. & Inez Parker Foundation.