Effectiveness, implementation settings, and research priorities of telemedicine-delivered interventions for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review

This systematic review aims to examine evidence on telemedicine-delivered interventions for autistic children and adolescents, considering diverse approaches, settings, and modalities used to address core symptoms and co-occurring conditions. A comprehensive search strategy consulted PubMed and Psyc...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews 2024-11, Vol.166, p.105875, Article 105875
Main Authors: Micai, Martina, Caruso, Angela, Gila, Letizia, Campanella, Francesco, Colombi, Costanza, Funari, Federica, Scordino, Veronica, Sogos, Carla, Veronesi, Christian, Zili, Valeria, Fulceri, Francesca, Scattoni, Maria Luisa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Autistic disorder
Behavior therapy
Children
Mental Health
Technology
Telemedicine
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This systematic review aims to examine evidence on telemedicine-delivered interventions for autistic children and adolescents, considering diverse approaches, settings, and modalities used to address core symptoms and co-occurring conditions. A comprehensive search strategy consulted PubMed and PsycInfo databases from inception to March 2023. PROSPERO registration: CRD42023404111. Each work was screened, and two blind authors extracted data. Out of 6010 studies, 19 publications with 366 participants (305 carers and 61 autistic children/adolescents) were included. Combined findings from observational and experimental studies indicate telemedicine-delivered interventions are comparable in effectiveness to traditional “in-person” treatments and involve lower costs. Tele-intervention outcomes show promise in facilitating interventions, actively engaging parents, and generalizing the socio-communicative behaviors of children. While the enforced adoption of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted clinicians to assess its role in the field of autism, a comprehensive understanding of its efficacy, benefits, and associated costs has yet to be fully established. Future studies should prioritize rigorous experimental methodologies, including subgroup analyses based on child/adolescent and family characteristics, aiding intervention implementation. •19 records with 366 participants were included in the systematic review.•Telemedicine aids autism treatment effectively.•Cost-effective telemedicine engages parents, improves children’s behaviors.•Understanding telemedicine's autism benefits is still incomplete.•Future studies prioritize rigorous methods, analyze child/family traits.
ISSN:0149-7634
1873-7528
1873-7528
DOI:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105875