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A Randomized Proof-of-Concept Study of Gamified Rhythmic Training in Autistic Children.
Kevin Jamey1,2,3, Hugo Laflamme1,2,3, Nicholas E V Foster1,2,3
1International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research (BRAMS), Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|April 23, 2026
Summary
Rhythmic skills training using the Rhythm Workers game improved rhythmic abilities and executive functioning in autistic children. The digital game was feasible and engaging for participants, suggesting potential benefits for cognitive and motor engagement.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Autistic children often exhibit challenges with rhythmic skills and executive functioning, impacting cognitive, motor, and social development.
- Rhythm-based training holds potential for supporting autistic individuals due to the foundational role of timing in various functional domains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of a gamified rhythmic training intervention, Rhythm Workers (RW), for autistic children.
- To assess the impact of RW on perceptual, motor, and cognitive functions in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 26 autistic children (ages 7-13) who played either the RW serious game or a control game for 2 weeks.
- Feasibility was assessed through compliance (retention, adherence) and engagement metrics (training duration, enjoyment, perceived difficulty).
- Improvements in rhythmic skills and executive functioning were compared between the RW and control groups.
Main Results:
- Rhythm Workers (RW) demonstrated high feasibility with excellent compliance and comparable engagement to the control game.
- Children playing RW showed significant improvements in rhythmic skills, correlated with training duration and autistic traits (social awareness).
- Composite executive functioning scores improved in the RW group, although not all subcomponent tasks reached statistical significance.
Conclusions:
- Digital gamified rhythmic training, exemplified by Rhythm Workers, is a feasible intervention for autistic children.
- The study suggests potential benefits of RW for enhancing motor and cognitive engagement in autistic children, meriting further research.
