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An Overview of Virtual Reality Interventions for Two Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Intellectual Disabilities and Autism

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Augmented Cognition. Human Cognition and Behavior (HCII 2020)

Abstract

In this overview of the two neurodevelopmental disorders, intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders we systematically searched the literature for scientific publications of group-based designs that tested various interventions through the use of Virtual Reality technology. After screening of a total of n = 366 publications, n = 13 studies (intellectual disabilities n = 7, autism spectrum disorders n = 6) were included in the final analyses. We present descriptive data in terms of type of intervention content for the various studies as well as information regarding research design, number of participants enrolled in the studies, age cohorts, and outcome measures. We discuss the findings as a whole but also by comparing the studies that are published within each of the two neurodevelopmental disorder groups. Finally we discuss some challenges and opportunities for future research.

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Studies included in systematic review alphabetically and marked with an asterisk*

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  4. *Rose, F., Brooks, B., Attree, E.: An exploratory investigation into the usability and usefulness of training people with learning disabilities in a virtual environment. Disabil. Rehabil. Int. Multidisc. J. 24(11–12), 627–633 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1080/09638280110111405

  5. *Passig, D.: Improving the sequential time perception of teenagers with mild to moderate mental retardation with 3D immersive virtual reality (IVR). J. Educ. Comput. Res. 40(3), 263–280 (2009). https://doi.org/10.2190/EC.40.3.a

  6. *Tam, S.-F., Man, D.W.-K., Chan, Y.-P., Sze, P.-C., Wong, C.-M.: Evaluation of a computer-assisted, 2-D virtual reality system for training people with intellectual disabilities on how to shop. Rehabil. Psychol. 50(3), 285–291 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1037/0090-5550.50.3.285

  7. *Wuang, Y.-P., Chiang, C.-S., Su, C.-Y., Wang, C.-C.: Effectiveness of virtual reality using Wii gaming technology in children with down syndrome. Res. Dev. Disabil. Multidisc. J. 32(1), 312–321 (2011). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2010.10.002

  8. *Humm, L.B., Olsen, D., Be, M., Fleming, M., Smith, M.: Simulated job interview improves skills for adults with serious mental illnesses. Annu. Rev. CyberTherapy Telemed. 12, 50–54 (2014). http://ovidsp.ovid.com/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&CSC=Y&NEWS=N&PAGE=fulltext&D=psyc11&AN=2015-00374-009

  9. *Josman, N., Ben-Chaim, H.M., Friedrich, S., Weiss, P.L.: Effectiveness of virtual reality for teaching street-crossing skills to children and adolescents with autism. Int. J. Disabil. Hum. Dev. 7(1), 49–56 (2008). http://ovidsp.ovid.com/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&CSC=Y&NEWS=N&PAGE=fulltext&D=psyc6&AN=2008-18791-009

  10. *Lorenzo, G., Gómez-Puerta, M., Arráez-Vera, G., Lorenzo-Lledó, A.: Preliminary study of augmented reality as an instrument for improvement of social skills in children with autism spectrum disorder. Educ. Inf. Technol. 24(1), 181–204 (2019). http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10639-018-9768-5

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  13. *Strickland, D., Coles, C., Southern, L.: JobTIPS: a transition to employment program for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. J. Autism. Dev. Disord. 43(10), 2472–2483 (2013).https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1800-4

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Nordahl-Hansen, A. et al. (2020). An Overview of Virtual Reality Interventions for Two Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Intellectual Disabilities and Autism. In: Schmorrow, D., Fidopiastis, C. (eds) Augmented Cognition. Human Cognition and Behavior. HCII 2020. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 12197. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50439-7_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50439-7_17

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