Impact of Xbox Gaming on Object control skills and Balance for children with autism spectrum disorder-A Pilot study

Abstract

Background: Children with ASD could face difficulties in a variety of areas including object handling skills andbalance. These issues can impair their ability to accomplish everyday tasks, participate in physical activity andsuccessfully communicate with their surroundings.Purpose: To determine the impact of xbox gaming on object control skills and balance for children with ASD.Methods: A pilot study was conducted with a total of 20 ASD children who were allocated into two groups.The experimental group (n=10) received xbox gaming and the conventional group received conventional therapy(n=10) The therapy was provided for 40 minutes five days a week for eight weeks to both groups. The test of grossmotor development scale-2 and a pediatric balance scale were used to determine the before and post-test values ofObject control skills (OCSs) & Balance.Results: The results findings shows that the experimental group pre and post-test values using the test of grossmotor development scale-2(14.2±4.04,33±8.02) and conventional group (12.2±4.56,23.2±2.85) have a p valueof <0.01.Experimental group pre- and post-test values using pediatric balance scale was(30.4±4.59,46.9±5.04)and conventional group was (28±4.94,36.9±5.38)with a p value<0.01.The outcome revealed highly significantdifferences within and between the two groups.Conclusion: This study concludes that xbox gaming for children with ASD proves a promising way for improvingobject control skills and balance. Participants revealed significant gains in advanced technology.