75 Participants Needed

Game-Based Mobile App for Autism

DL
Overseen ByDaehyoung Lee, PhD
Age: 18 - 65
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of Delaware
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)
Approved in 1 JurisdictionThis treatment is already approved in other countries

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment PuzzleWalk for autism?

The PuzzleWalk app, designed to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior, showed satisfactory usability for adults with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Additionally, a gaming platform for autism intervention demonstrated improvements in concentration, flexibility, and self-esteem in children, suggesting that game-based apps can be beneficial for individuals with ASD.12345

Is the PuzzleWalk app safe for use in humans?

The PuzzleWalk app was tested for usability in adults with and without autism, and the results indicated satisfactory quality, suggesting it is safe for use. However, specific safety data was not detailed, and further research is needed to confirm long-term safety.13678

How is the PuzzleWalk treatment different from other autism treatments?

PuzzleWalk is unique because it uses a game-based mobile app to deliver autism intervention, focusing on improving skills like imitation and joint attention through interactive games. This approach allows for personalized, home-based therapy that involves parents and therapists, making it more accessible and adaptable compared to traditional in-person therapies.1891011

What is the purpose of this trial?

The clinical study aims to develop and test a gamified mobile health app called PuzzleWalk (PW) to promote physical activity (PA) and reduce sedentary behavior (SB) in autistic adults, including those with mild intellectual disabilities (ID). The study addresses the need for tailored interventions in this population, who are at higher risk for lifestyle-related chronic health conditions due to lower PA and higher SB. The upgraded version of PuzzleWalk integrates behavior change techniques and gamification strategies, such as translating step counts into puzzle game playtime, to encourage regular PA and reduce SB. The study will evaluate the app's effectiveness on preventive health behavior changes in real-world settings. The ultimate goal is to create an effective, sustainable, and scientifically validated mobile health tool to improve the health and well-being of autistic adults.

Research Team

DL

Daehyoung Lee, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Delaware

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for autistic adults, including those with mild intellectual disabilities. It's designed to help participants who are at risk of health issues due to low physical activity and high sedentary behavior. The study seeks individuals willing to use a gamified mobile app aimed at increasing their daily movement.

Inclusion Criteria

Individuals who have regular access to a supported smartphone (iOS 13+ operating system)
Individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder by a medical professional or self-identify as neurodivergent

Exclusion Criteria

Individuals with a moderate-to-profound intellectual disability
I use a wheelchair or crutches due to a significant orthopedic condition.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-3 days
1 visit (in-person or virtual)

Baseline Data Collection

Participants undergo baseline data collection including demographics, technology and medication use, and accelerometer-derived PA and sedentary time

1 week
1 visit (in-person or virtual)

Intervention

Participants use the upgraded PuzzleWalk app to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior, supported by periodic reminders and reinforcement messages

6 weeks
Ongoing app usage with periodic virtual check-ins

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior after the intervention

1 week
1 visit (in-person or virtual)

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • PuzzleWalk
Trial Overview The clinical trial is testing PuzzleWalk (PW), a game-based mobile app developed to promote physical activity and reduce time spent inactive in autistic adults. The app uses gaming elements like turning steps into puzzle playtime as motivation.
Participant Groups
1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: PuzzleWalk (Gamified mHealth)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
PuzzleWalk integrates gamification strategies and incentivization of walking behaviors to induce target behavior changes. Capitalizing on the distinctive attributes and preferences of autistic adults, PW emphasizes the advantages of visual learning while minimizing the need for undesired face-to-face social interactions. A novel feature is its conversion algorithm that translates daily step counts into playtime for "spot the difference" puzzle games, which leverages the psychological satisfactions of autonomy, relatedness, and competence.

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Delaware

Lead Sponsor

Trials
167
Recruited
25,700+

Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health

Collaborator

Trials
2
Recruited
80+

Findings from Research

A new automated gaming platform designed for children with autism focuses on improving key skills like Imitation and Joint Attention through engaging games, showing promise for intensive intervention in home settings.
In a 3-month trial with 10 children, parents reported improvements in their child's concentration (78%), flexibility (89%), and self-esteem (44%), indicating the platform's potential effectiveness in enhancing developmental skills.
GOLIAH: A Gaming Platform for Home-Based Intervention in Autism - Principles and Design.Bono, V., Narzisi, A., Jouen, AL., et al.[2020]
A systematic review of 7 randomized controlled trials involving mobile device applications for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) showed promising effects on visual and fine motor skills, with a standardized mean difference of 0.41, indicating a moderate benefit from the interventions.
While the initial results are encouraging, the authors emphasize the need for more comprehensive and larger studies to better understand the effectiveness of mobile apps in improving behavioral symptoms in individuals with ASD.
Mobile device applications and treatment of autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness.Moon, SJ., Hwang, J., Hill, HS., et al.[2020]
The PuzzleWalk mobile app was found to be user-friendly and effective for promoting physical activity among both adults with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD), based on a study involving 18 participants.
Qualitative interviews revealed important insights into the specific health and social needs of adults with ASD, highlighting areas for improvement in future iterations of the app.
Usability inquiry of a gamified behavior change app for increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior in adults with and without autism spectrum disorder.Lee, D., Frey, GC., Min, A., et al.[2021]

References

GOLIAH: A Gaming Platform for Home-Based Intervention in Autism - Principles and Design. [2020]
Mobile device applications and treatment of autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness. [2020]
Usability inquiry of a gamified behavior change app for increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior in adults with and without autism spectrum disorder. [2021]
Augmented Reality, Serious Games and Picture Exchange Communication System for People with ASD: Systematic Literature Review and Future Directions. [2022]
Does playing a sports active video game improve object control skills of children with autism spectrum disorder? [2022]
Safety and Lack of Negative Effects of Wearable Augmented-Reality Social Communication Aid for Children and Adults with Autism. [2023]
Caregiver Daily Reporting of Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Observational Study Using Web and Mobile Apps. [2023]
A Survey on Autism Care, Diagnosis, and Intervention Based on Mobile Apps Focusing on Usability and Software Design. [2023]
GOLIAH (Gaming Open Library for Intervention in Autism at Home): a 6-month single blind matched controlled exploratory study. [2020]
Machine learning models using mobile game play accurately classify children with autism. [2023]
The Use of Analog and Digital Games for Autism Interventions. [2023]
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