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Meta-Analysis of RCTs of Technology-Assisted Parent-Mediated Interventions for Children with ASD

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Abstract

Technology-assisted parent-mediated interventions improve accessibility and are acceptable but not proven to be effective. We conducted a systematic search of 6 databases. We included and analysed results from studies on social and communication outcomes. Sixteen Randomised-Controlled-Trials (RCTs) with 748 participants were included. Most studies were rated as of good quality. Meta-analysis suggested that interventions were probably effective in improving emotion recognition. No significant differences were found in social communication, social functioning or language outcomes. At present, isolated tech interventions do not fulfil criteria for promising or established evidence-based interventions for ASD. Future research needs to focus on improving the effectiveness of technology-assisted parent-mediated interventions for ASD. Prospero Registration Number: CRD42020162825.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the help of librarian Mr. Patrick O’Connor for providing input while constructing the search strategy for each database and running the search strategy and Dr Neeraj Gill for his review and feedback of the drafts.

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No funding was received.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Darling Downs Health Service, The Toowoomba Hospital, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia

    Hong Ji Pi

  2. Gold Coast Health Service, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia

    Kannan Kallapiran

  3. AIIMS Mangalagiri, Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh, India

    Shashidhara Munivenkatappa

  4. JIMPER, Puducherry, India

    Preeti Kandasamy

  5. Prof BV Moses Center for Evidence-Informed Health Care and Health Policy, Vellore, India

    Richard Kirubakaran

  6. Christian Medical College, Vellore, India

    Paul Russell

  7. UNSW, Sydney, Australia

    Valsamma Eapen

  8. Southport Health Precinct, 16-30 High Street, Gold Coast, QLD, 4215, Australia

    Kannan Kallapiran

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  1. Hong Ji Pi
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Contributions

HJ was involved in conceptualization, developing the protocol, creating search strategy, running the search, shortlisting, and selecting articles, extracting information from studies, appraising the quality of studies, comparing with the other authors, contributing and reviewing the draft. KK was involved in the conceptualization, developing protocol, creating search strategy, shortlisting studies, selecting studies, comparing them with other author, extracting information from studies, appraising the quality of studies, meta-analysis, writing up of the draft and reviewing the final draft. SM was involved in conceptualization, selecting studies, extracting data, appraising the quality of studies, writing up of the draft and reviewing the final draft. PK was involved in conceptualisation, finalising the protocol, resolving differences in selection of studies & quality of studies, contribution to the draft and reviewing the final draft. RK was involved in the conceptualisation, extraction of data, meta-analysis, write up and reviewing of the final draft. PR was involved in the conceptualization, analysis, write up and review of the final draft. VE was involved in the analysis, write up and review of the final draft.

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Correspondence to Kannan Kallapiran.

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Pi, H.J., Kallapiran, K., Munivenkatappa, S. et al. Meta-Analysis of RCTs of Technology-Assisted Parent-Mediated Interventions for Children with ASD. J Autism Dev Disord 52, 3325–3343 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05206-2

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