TY - JOUR T1 - Preliminary Report on the Impact of Smartglasses-based Behavioral and Social Communication Aid on Hyperactivity in Children and Adults with Autism JF - bioRxiv DO - 10.1101/165514 SP - 165514 AU - Arshya Vahabzadeh AU - Neha U. Keshav AU - Joseph P. Salisbury AU - Ned T. Sahin Y1 - 2017/01/01 UR - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/07/19/165514.abstract N2 - Introduction People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly experience symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity, and a third of people on the spectrum may be diagnosed with attention hyperactivity deficit disorder (ADHD). These individuals often face barriers to having their ADHD symptoms treated. Non-pharmacological technology-aided tools for hyperactivity and inattention in people with ASD are being developed, although research into their efficacy and safety remains limited. This preliminary report describes the impact on hyperactivity symptoms in children and adults with ASD after use of the Brain Power Autism System (BPAS), a behavioral and social communication aid for ASD based on augmented-reality smartglasses.Methods Eight children and adults with ASD were recruited through a web-based research signup form. Four of these participants had a history of ADHD. The baseline score on the hyperactivity subscale of the aberrant behavioral checklist (ABC-H) determined their classification into a high ADHD symptom group (n = 4, ABC-H ≥ 13) and a low ADHD symptom group (n = 4, ABC-H < 13). All participants attended a coaching session with BPAS, where they used BPAS social communication and behavioral apps while interacting with their caregiver. Caregiver-reported ABC-H scores were calculated at 24- and 48-hours post-session.Results Mean ABC-H scores were lower in both low and high ADHD groups at 24- and 48-hours post-session. At 24-hours post-session, average ABC-H scores decreased by 54.4% in high ADHD symptom group and by 20% in the low ADHD symptom group. At 48-hours post-session ABC-H scores compared to baseline decreased by 56.4% in the high ADHD symptom group and by 66.3% in the low ADHD symptom group.Conclusion The use of BPAS, a novel smartglasses-based behavioral and social communication aid for children and adults with ASD, was associated with reduced short-term symptoms of hyperactivity. While on the one hand, there may be a placebo effect to novel technology, on the other hand, people with ASD may react negatively to transitions or new experiences. The effects are likely to be temporary, and further research is required to understand clinical importance of these observed changes. Future research should focus on longer-term monitoring, and involve a larger sample size. ER -