title: Effects of exergaming on executive function and motor skills in children with autism spectrum disorder: a pilot study.
abstract: Executive function (EF) and motor deficits have consistently been documented in studies of people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We investigated the effects of a pilot 30-session Makoto arena training intervention, a light and sound speed-based exergame, on response speed, EF, and motor skills in school-aged children with ASD. Strong correlations were seen between certain EF and motor scores, suggesting a relationship between the two constructs. Participants increased their average reaction speed (effect size = 1.18). Significant improvement was seen in the EF areas of working memory and metacognition and the motor area of strength and agility. Findings suggest that use of exergaming, specifically the Makoto arena, has the potential to be a valuable addition to standard intervention for children with ASD who have motor and EF impairments.
authors.affiliation: Claudia List Hilton, PhD, MBA, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy Department, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555; clhilton@utmb.edu.
authors.forename: Claudia List
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hilton
authors.affiliation: Kristina Cumpata, MS, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, Children's Medical Center, Dallas, TX.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cumpata
authors.affiliation: Cheryl Klohr, OTD, OTR/L, is Research Clinician, Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Klohr
authors.affiliation: Shannon Gaetke, OTD, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, Pediatric Occupational Therapist Coastal Therapy Services, Charleston, SC.
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gaetke
authors.affiliation: Amanda Artner, MSOT, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, Smile Pediatric Therapy, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Artner
authors.affiliation: Hailey Johnson, MSOT, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, Anderson Hospital, Maryville, IL.
authors.forename: Hailey
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Sarah Dobbs, MSOT, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, St. Joseph Medical Center, Kansas City, MO.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dobbs
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011930:Reaction Time; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis