Interactive Physical and Cognitive Exercise System (iPACES™): The Cognitive Effects of Exergaming on Individuals on the Autism Spectrum

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects 1 in 68 children in the United States.  The disorder is characterized by deficits in social interaction, verbal communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. While the apparent cause of ASD is biological, the diagnosis remains based on social deficits.  The variety of treatments for individuals on the spectrum ranges from Applied Behavioral Analysis and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to pharmacological agents that aim to reduce aggressive behaviors.  Besides these, literature suggests that exercise interventions can deliver a more affordable treatment for executive dysfunctions characterized by ASD. Anderson-Hanley et al. conducted a within-subjects design study comparing the benefits of exergaming via DanceDance Revolution (a videogame with a sensor mat connected to the characters in the game) and via cybercycling (a stationary bike interconnected to a videogame) for children on the Autism Spectrum. Increased executive functioning was found post-exergame. This pilot study evaluated an interactive Physical and Cognitive Exercise System (iPACES™), wherein children pedal and steer along a virtual bike path to score points and compare the cognitive benefits between typically developing (TD) children and those on the spectrum.  Seven TD children with mean age 14±0 and four ASD children with mean age 14±2 volunteered and participated in a 20-minute exergame bout with pre- and post-cognitive assessments designed to evaluate executive functioning. Trails, Stroop, and Flanker tasks were used. After repeated measures ANOVA comparing ASD and typically developing pre- and post-exergame assessments, a trend was found for Flanker (p = .07). Paired t-tests revealed a significant improvement among TDs (p = .04). This study fits with prior research suggesting that exergaming can produce a positive effect on cognitive functioning and further investigates the use of exergaming as a treatment for executive dysfunction in ASD. These preliminary results indicate promise worthy of further research.