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Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2023This article presents a systematic review on autism care, diagnosis, and intervention based on mobile apps running on smartphones and tablets. Here, the term... (Review)
Review
This article presents a systematic review on autism care, diagnosis, and intervention based on mobile apps running on smartphones and tablets. Here, the term "intervention" means a carefully planned set of activities with the objective of improving autism symptoms. We guide our review on related studies using five research questions. First, who benefits the most from these mobile apps? Second, what are the primary purposes of these mobile apps? Third, what mechanisms have been incorporated in these mobiles apps to improve usability? Fourth, what guidelines have been used in the design and implementation of these mobile apps? Fifth, what theories and frameworks have been used as the foundation for these mobile apps to ensure the intervention effectiveness? As can be seen from these research questions, we focus on the usability and software development of the mobile apps. Informed by the findings of these research questions, we propose a taxonomy for the mobile apps and their users. The mobile apps can be categorized into autism support apps, educational apps, teacher training apps, parental support apps, and data collection apps. The individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are the primary users of the first two categories of apps. Teachers of children with ASD are the primary users of the teacher training apps. Parents are the primary users of the parental support apps, while individuals with ASD are usually the primary users of the data collection apps and clinicians and autism researchers are the beneficiaries. Gamification, virtual reality, and autism-specific mechanisms have been used to improve the usability of the apps. User-centered design is the most popular approach for mobile app development. Augmentative and alternative communication, video modeling, and various behavior change practices have been used as the theoretical foundation for intervention efficacy.
Topics: Child; Humans; Mobile Applications; Autistic Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Software Design; Smartphone
PubMed: 37514555
DOI: 10.3390/s23146260 -
Journal of Pain Research 2024Many studies have focused on the association between Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and epidural labor analgesia (ELA), which is the most effective way to manage labor... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Many studies have focused on the association between Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and epidural labor analgesia (ELA), which is the most effective way to manage labor pain. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to summarize the current state of the association between ELA and ASD.
METHODS
A search of the literature yielded 201 relevant studies, of which 7 cohort studies met our inclusion criteria. Two independent reviewers screened the inclusion results, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias and quality of evidence.
RESULTS
Compared to parturient who did not receive ELA, parturient who received ELA had a slightly increased risk of ASD (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.17; I2, 69%; P < 0.001; seven studies). After excluding one literature (aHR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.06-1.12; I2, 4%; P < 0.001; six studies). The sensitivity analyses had consistent outcomes with the main analyses involving siblings (aHR 1.11; 95% CI 1.03-1.19), cesarean section and instrumental deliveries (aHR 1.07; 95% CI 1.03-1.10), non-overlapping populations (aHR 1.09; 95% CI 1.05-1.12), full-term birth populations (aHR 1.10; 95% CI 1.06-1.14), and studies assessed to have moderate risk of bias (aHR 1.09; 95% CI 1.02-1.16).
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis revealed a modest positive association between ELA and ASD, acknowledging a slight potential risk. However, it is important to note that this risk cannot be completely dismissed due to the possibility of bias and this association is based on low-quality evidence. Future studies are required to assess and mitigate different confounding biases and investigate the time-dose-response relationship.
PubMed: 38230204
DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S442298 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2023Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a multifaceted developmental condition that commonly appears during early childhood. The etiology of ASD remains multifactorial and not...
A comparison between children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and healthy controls in biomedical factors, trace elements, and microbiota biomarkers: a meta-analysis.
INTRODUCTION
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a multifaceted developmental condition that commonly appears during early childhood. The etiology of ASD remains multifactorial and not yet fully understood. The identification of biomarkers may provide insights into the underlying mechanisms and pathophysiology of the disorder. The present study aimed to explore the causes of ASD by investigating the key biomedical markers, trace elements, and microbiota factors between children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and control subjects.
METHODS
Medline, PubMed, ProQuest, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and EMBSCO databases have been searched for publications from 2012 to 2023 with no language restrictions using the population, intervention, control, and outcome (PICO) approach. Keywords including "autism spectrum disorder," "oxytocin," "GABA," "Serotonin," "CRP," "IL-6," "Fe," "Zn," "Cu," and "gut microbiota" were used for the search. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist was used to assess the article quality, and a random model was used to assess the mean difference and standardized difference between ASD and the control group in all biomedical markers, trace elements, and microbiota factors.
RESULTS
From 76,217 records, 43 studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled analyses showed that children with ASD had significantly lower levels of oxytocin (mean differences, MD = -45.691, 95% confidence interval, CI: -61.667, -29.717), iron (MD = -3.203, 95% CI: -4.891, -1.514), and zinc (MD = -6.707, 95% CI: -12.691, -0.722), lower relative abundance of (MD = -1.321, 95% CI: -2.403, -0.238) and (MD = -0.081, 95% CI: -0.148, -0.013), higher levels of c-reactive protein, CRP (MD = 0.401, 95% CI: 0.036, 0.772), and GABA (MD = 0.115, 95% CI: 0.045, 0.186), and higher relative abundance of (MD = 1.386, 95% CI: 0.717, 2.055) and (MD = 0.281, 95% CI: 0.035, 0.526) when compared with controls. The results of the overall analyses were stable after performing the sensitivity analyses. Additionally, no substantial publication bias was observed among the studies.
INTERPRETATION
Children with ASD have significantly higher levels of CRP and GABA, lower levels of oxytocin, iron, and zinc, lower relative abundance of and , and higher relative abundance of , and when compared with controls. These results suggest that these indicators may be a potential biomarker panel for the diagnosis or determining therapeutic targets of ASD. Furthermore, large, sample-based, and randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these results.
PubMed: 38283894
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1318637 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2023Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are frequently experienced by children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and these symptoms cause difficulties for these children and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are frequently experienced by children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and these symptoms cause difficulties for these children and their families. However, studies of GI symptom prevalence differ significantly. This meta-analysis aimed to analyze the prevalence of GI symptoms in children with ASD.
METHODS AND FINDINGS
PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE were electronically searched to collect all literature on gastrointestinal symptoms of children with ASD collected through questionnaires or scales from January 2012 to May 2021. Four researchers independently scanned the literature and extracted information on general characteristics. First author name, year of publication, geographical location, type of study, sample sizes of ASD and control (if any) children, sex and average age, number of GI cases, number of GI symptoms, GI assessment tools (gastrointestinal symptoms scale), autism diagnosis methods, and other necessary data were collected and analyzed using Stata V16. The questionnaires included the Rome, 6-GSI, GIQ, GSRS, GSIQ, ADI-R, PedsQL-GI, parent-report, GI-related, and self-administered questionnaires. Compared with typically developing (TD) children, the odds ratio for In children with ASD with at least one GI symptom was 3.64, and the total prevalence was 55%. The cumulative prevalence rates of various symptoms were summarized, showing that 37% of children with ASD had constipation, 21% had abdominal pain, 19% had diarrhea, 8% had vomiting, and 23% had abdominal distension.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this meta-analysis on GI symptoms in ASD show that patients with ASD are more likely to develop symptoms than TD children. The prevalence of GI symptoms in In children with ASD was 55%.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier, #CRD42017080579.
PubMed: 37565245
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1120728 -
Review Journal of Autism and... 2024While research on the prevalence of co-occurring autism spectrum conditions (ASC) and trans gender modality (TGM) is available, less is known about the underlying... (Review)
Review
While research on the prevalence of co-occurring autism spectrum conditions (ASC) and trans gender modality (TGM) is available, less is known about the underlying mechanism of this association. Insight is needed to improve treatment of trans autistic people. This review provides an overview of theories on the ASC-TGM link and the available evidence for/against them published between January 2016 and October 2020. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus. This resulted in 36 studies, in which 15 theories were identified. Results indicate all theories lack substantial empirical support. Unlikely and promising theories were identified. The most promising theories were those on resistance to social norms and weakened sex differences. Future directions are provided.
PubMed: 38803560
DOI: 10.1007/s40489-022-00338-2 -
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry May 2024Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience various sleep problems. Sleep problems co-occur in a bidirectional relationship with ASD core... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Correlations between sleep problems, core symptoms, and behavioral problems in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience various sleep problems. Sleep problems co-occur in a bidirectional relationship with ASD core symptoms and behavioral problems. However, studies on how these three factors are intricately linked to each other are limited. This meta-analysis examined the differential relationship between specific sleep problems, core symptoms, and behavioral problems in this population. This study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022339695). We systematically searched the PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases from inception to April 27, 2022. Observational studies that reported correlations between measures of sleep problems, ASD core symptoms, or ASD behavioral problems were included, and participants aged 18 years or below were enrolled. The correlation coefficient (r) was assessed as the primary effect metric. Total 22 cross-sectional studies were included, which comprised 2655 participants (mean age = 6.60 years old; mean percentage of boys = 80.64%). We found correlations between total sleep problems and total core symptoms (r 0.293 [95% confidence interval - 0.095 to 0.604]), total sleep problems and total behavioral problems (r 0.429 [0.299-0.544]), and total core symptoms and total behavioral problems (r - 0.050 [- 0.177 to 0.079]) and identified statistically significant correlations between specific components of sleep problems, ASD core symptoms, and ASD behavioral problems. Each specific sleep problem showed a unique association with core symptoms and behavioral problems. Sleep problems in ASD should be explored in detail, and the closely linked core symptoms and behavioral problems should be common therapeutic targets.
Topics: Humans; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Child; Sleep Wake Disorders; Adolescent; Problem Behavior; Male; Female
PubMed: 37477722
DOI: 10.1007/s00787-023-02253-1 -
Dementia & Neuropsychologia 2024Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is expressed with neurobehavioral symptoms of different degrees of intensity. It is estimated that, for every three cases detected, there... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is expressed with neurobehavioral symptoms of different degrees of intensity. It is estimated that, for every three cases detected, there are two cases that reach adulthood without treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To establish what challenges are still present in the implementation of early intervention (EI) and its effects on the prognosis of ASD.
METHODS
A systematic review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (Prisma) methodology was carried out in the PubMed and ScienceDirect databases in January 2023. The search keywords were "autism spectrum disorder", "early intervention" and "prognosis".
RESULTS
Sixteen studies were included, two randomized and 14 non-randomized. Knowledge about the signs of ASD, diagnostic and therapeutic methods, age at the start of treatment, and socioeconomic factors were the main challenges encountered in the implementation of the EI.
CONCLUSION
EI is capable of modifying the prognosis of ASD and challenges in its implementation persist, especially in developing regions with low socioeconomic status.
PubMed: 38425700
DOI: 10.1590/1980-5764-DN-2023-0034 -
Autism : the International Journal of... Aug 2023Both parents and service providers have voiced concerns about the potential negative impact of exposure to multiple languages on the language and communication skills of... (Review)
Review
Both parents and service providers have voiced concerns about the potential negative impact of exposure to multiple languages on the language and communication skills of autistic children. The current literature review summarized research that assessed the language and communication skills of multilingual autistic children in comparison with their autistic and nonautistic peers. After a comprehensive search, 22 relevant publications were identified that met the inclusion criteria of the current review. Thirteen studies used both direct (directly administered screening/diagnostic tools) and indirect language assessments (e.g. parent questionnaires). Receptive and expressive vocabulary was the most frequently assessed language skill. Available research does not support the assumption that bilingualism has negative effects on the language and communication skills of autistic children. The language and communication skills of multilingual autistic children frequently resembled their monolingual autistic peers in both strengths and areas of growth. Preliminary findings indicate that multilingual autistic children may share some advantages of multilingualism with their multilingual nonautistic peers. Studies often excluded participants with intellectual disabilities or complex communication needs, which means that a large population of autistic children is not yet represented in research about the effects of multilingualism.
Topics: Humans; Child; Multilingualism; Autistic Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Language; Communication
PubMed: 36629040
DOI: 10.1177/13623613221147780 -
Autism : the International Journal of... Jul 2024When two people interact, they often fall into sync with one another by moving their bodies at the same time. Some say autistic people are not as good as non-autistic... (Review)
Review
When two people interact, they often fall into sync with one another by moving their bodies at the same time. Some say autistic people are not as good as non-autistic people at moving at the same time as a partner. This has led some researchers to ask whether measuring synchrony might help diagnose autism. We reviewed the research so far to look at differences in Social Motor Synchrony (SMS) (the way we move together) between autistic people and people they interact with. The research suggests that interactions involving an autistic partner (either two autistic partners, or an autistic and non-autistic partner) show lower synchrony than a non-autistic pair. However, we recognised elements in the research so far that may have affected SMS in interactions involving an autistic person. One way SMS may have been affected in research so far might be the way interactions have been set up in the research studies. Few papers studied interactions between two autistic people or looked at synchrony in comfortable environments with autistic-preferred tasks. The studies also do not explain why synchrony might be different, or weaker, in pairs involving autistic partners. We use these limitations to suggest improvements for future research.
Topics: Humans; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Social Interaction; Social Behavior; Interpersonal Relations
PubMed: 38014541
DOI: 10.1177/13623613231213295 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2024Developmental language disorder (DLD) is a common childhood condition negatively influencing communication and psychosocial development. An increasing number of... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Developmental language disorder (DLD) is a common childhood condition negatively influencing communication and psychosocial development. An increasing number of pathogenic variants or chromosomal anomalies possibly related to DLD have been identified. To provide a base for accurate clinical genetic diagnostic work-up for DLD patients, understanding the specific genetic background is crucial. This study aims to give a systematic literature overview of pathogenic variants or chromosomal anomalies causative for DLD in children.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic search in PubMed and Embase on available literature related to the genetic background of diagnosed DLD in children. Included papers were critically appraised before data extraction. An additional search in OMIM was performed to see if the described DLD genes are associated with a broader clinical spectrum.
RESULTS
The search resulted in 15,842 papers. After assessing eligibility, 47 studies remained, of which 25 studies related to sex chromosome aneuploidies and 15 papers concerned other chromosomal anomalies (SCAs) and/or Copy Number Variants (CNVs), including del15q13.1-13.3 and del16p11.2. The remaining 7 studies displayed a variety of gene variants. 45 (candidate) genes related to language development, including , , , and . After an additional search in the OMIM database, 22 of these genes were associated with a genetic disorder with a broader clinical spectrum, including intellectual disability, epilepsy, and/or autism.
CONCLUSION
Our study illustrates that DLD can be related to SCAs and specific CNV's. The reported (candidate) genes ( = 45) in the latter category reflect the genetic heterogeneity and support DLD without any comorbidities and syndromic language disorder have an overlapping genetic etiology.
PubMed: 38298611
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1315229