The Effects of Rhythm and Robotic Interventions on the ImitationPraxis, Interpersonal Synchrony, and Motor Performance of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)‎: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract EN

We assessed the effects of three interventions, rhythm, robotic, and standard-of-care, on the imitation/praxis, interpersonal synchrony, and overall motor performance of 36 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) between 5 and 12 years of age.

Children were matched on age, level of functioning, and services received, prior to random assignment to one of the three groups.

Training was provided for 8 weeks with 4 sessions provided each week.

We assessed generalized changes in motor skills from the pretest to the posttest using a standardized test of motor performance, the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, 2nd edition (BOT-2).

We also assessed training-specific changes in imitation/praxis and interpersonal synchrony during an early and a late session.

Consistent with the training activities practiced, the rhythm and robot groups improved on the body coordination composite of the BOT-2, whereas the comparison group improved on the fine manual control composite of the BOT-2.

All three groups demonstrated improvements in imitation/praxis.

The rhythm and robot groups also showed improved interpersonal synchrony performance from the early to the late session.

Overall, socially embedded movement-based contexts are valuable in promoting imitation/praxis, interpersonal synchrony, and motor performance and should be included within the standard-of-care treatment for children with ASD.