Effectiveness of a Therapist-Managed Video-Modeling Smartphone Application for Self-Care Training for Children With...

This study examined the effectiveness of a therapist-managed smartphone application using video modeling to teach self-care skills to children with autism, compared with live modeling, while providing parents with remote therapist support.

In this randomized controlled trial, thirty-one children with ASD (aged 5-12 years) were randomly assigned to an intervention group (video modeling via smartphone; n = 16) or a comparison group (live modeling; n = 15). Outcome measures included the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Goal Attainment Scaling, and Activities of Daily Living Inventory for Children with Disabilities, Family Functioning Questionnaire in Rehabilitation, and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale. Assessments were conducted at baseline, one-month post-intervention, and one-month follow-up, and data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations.

The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in self-care-related outcome measure scores (p < .05). No significant differences were found in Family Functioning Questionnaire in Rehabilitation or Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale scores.

The therapist-managed video modeling application effectively enhanced self-care performance in children with ASD and offered a family-centered, time-efficient approach for remote intervention.