Objectives: The current study evaluates the effects of corrective ambient prism lenses on these deficits in autism. In addition, this study aims to contribute to the understanding of abnormal autonomic reactivity mechanisms present in autism.
Methods: The participants in this study were 21 children with autism, mean age of 12.5 years. The study was a 2x2 within subject design, with Prism / Placebo Prism conditions, and High / Low emotional arousal video stimuli taken from the classic Disney film Lion King. The order of stimuli type and Prism conditions were counterbalanced across all subjects. Physiological responses, which included Heart Rate (HR), Heart Rate Variability (HRV), and Skin Conductance Level (SCL), were monitored and collected during the session and later analyzed block by block.
Results: Analysis of Heart Rate showed significant difference between Prism and No Prism in the Low emotional arousal condition (p = 0.032), and across all conditions combined (p = 0.032). Furthermore, subjects had significantly higher SCL in Prism conditions versus No Prism conditions (F=11.5, p=0.003), and had a significantly higher number of Skin Conductance Responses (NS.SCR) in Prism conditions (p = .007). Analysis of High (HF) and Low frequency (LF) components of HRV (LF and HF of HRV) revealed no significant differences, though the power of LF of HRV tended to be higher in Prism condition (p = .062).
Conclusions: The lowered HR and increased electrodermal responses during viewing of the stimuli suggest increased attention to audio-visual stimuli during wearing ambient prism lenses. Higher electrodermal reactivity (SCL, NS.SCR) in Prism condition during more emotionally loaded episodes is indicative of increased emotional arousal and attentiveness to affective content of the movie. Our preliminary study support utility of ambient prism lenses application to improve emotional reactivity in autism.
See more of: Treatments: A: Social Skills; School, Teachers
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