ERIC Number: EJ1481048
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Sep
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0162-3257
EISSN: EISSN-1573-3432
Available Date: 2024-06-28
A Randomized Trial Utilizing EEG Brain Computer Interface to Improve Facial Emotion Recognition in Autistic Adults
Alexis M. Brewe1; Ligia Antezana2,3; Corinne N. Carlton2; Denis Gracanin4; John A. Richey2; Inyoung Kim5; Susan W. White1
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, v55 n9 p3217-3230 2025
Purpose: Many individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience challenges with facial emotion recognition (FER), which may exacerbate social difficulties in ASD. Few studies have examined whether FER can be experimentally manipulated and improved for autistic people. This study utilized a randomized controlled trial design to examine acceptability and preliminary clinical impact of a novel mixed reality-based neurofeedback program, FER Assistant, using EEG brain computer interface (BCI)-assisted technology to improve FER for autistic adolescents and adults. Methods: Twenty-seven autistic male participants (M age: 21.12 years; M IQ: 105.78; 85% white) were randomized to the active condition to receive FER Assistant (n = 17) or waitlist control (n = 10). FER Assistant participants received ten sessions utilizing BCI-assisted neurofeedback training in FER. All participants, regardless of randomization, completed a computerized FER task at baseline and endpoint. Results: Results partially indicated that FER Assistant was acceptable to participants. Regression analyses demonstrated that participation in FER Assistant led to group differences in FER at endpoint, compared to a waitlist control. However, analyses examining reliable change in FER indicated no reliable improvement or decline for FER Assistant participants, whereas two waitlist participants demonstrated reliable decline. Conclusion: Given the preliminary nature of this work, results collectively suggest that FER Assistant may be an acceptable intervention. Results also suggest that FER may be a potential mechanism that is amenable to intervention for autistic individuals, although additional trials using larger sample sizes are warranted.
Descriptors: Randomized Controlled Trials, Brain, Nonverbal Communication, Emotional Response, Recognition (Psychology), Autism Spectrum Disorders, Adults, Interpersonal Competence, Biofeedback, Intervention
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link-springer-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1University of Alabama, Center for Youth Development and Intervention, Tuscaloosa, USA; 2Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Department of Psychology, Blacksburg, USA; 3University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, USA; 4Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Department of Computer Science, Blacksburg, USA; 5Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Department of Statistics, Blacksburg, USA

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