A critical discussion regarding the effectiveness of Virtual Reality interventions (VR-I) and Animal Assistant Therapy (ΑΑΤ) in youth with Autism Spectrum Conditions: scoping Randomized Clinical Trials

Abstract

Disorders, or more properly, Conditions of Autism Spectrum (ASC), are a pervasive, neurodevelopmental, lifelong condition that develops through complications in socio-emotional reciprocity, communication difficulties, and restrictive and repetitive behaviors. The establishment of ASC in the cognitive dimension of young people can cause comorbidity and therefore, the assessment and treatment of ASC should be applied immediately when symptoms are emerged. However, the difficulties in dealing with, but also in the detection of ASC in combination with the high rates of misdiagnosis, poses the imperative need for effective interventions. Satisfactory therapeutic tools have been developed to help young people with an ASC. The present literature review targeted two of them: Animal Assistant Therapy (AAT) and Virtual Reality Interventions (VR-I). These were investigated by evaluating their effectiveness by scoping Randomized Clinical Trials, derived from the PubMed.gov and Clinicaltrials.gov databases. AAT will be evaluated on its effectiveness in improving the Aspects of Interpersonal and Functional Problems, Theory of Mind and hyperactivity behaviors, while the VR-I will be evaluated on its effectiveness in enhancing the expression and regulation of emotions, socio-emotional reciprocity and the adaptation of motor and cognitive skills. The results of the study highlight deficiencies in the structure of the research methods evaluated, the effect of interventions on the second level symptoms, while a pioneering use of VR-I will be discussed, which can utilize motor learning as a bridge, providing potential for improvements to individuals with an ASC.