Exploring Physiological Responses in Virtual Reality-based Interventions
  for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Data-Driven Investigation
Gianpaolo Alvari Ersilia Vallefuoco Melanie Cristofolini Elio Salvadori Marco Dianti Alessia Moltani Davide Dal Castello Paola Venuti Cesare Furlanello
Virtual Reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool for enhancing social
skills and emotional well-being in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
(ASD). Through a technical exploration, this study employs a multiplayer
serious gaming environment within VR, engaging 34 individuals diagnosed with
ASD and employing high-precision biosensors for a comprehensive view of the
participants' arousal and responses during the VR sessions. Participants were
subjected to a series of 3 virtual scenarios designed in collaboration with
stakeholders and clinical experts to promote socio-cognitive skills and
emotional regulation in a controlled and structured virtual environment. We
combined the framework with wearable non-invasive sensors for bio-signal
acquisition, focusing on the collection of heart rate variability, and
respiratory patterns to monitor participants behaviors. Further, behavioral
assessments were conducted using observation and semi-structured interviews,
with the data analyzed in conjunction with physiological measures to identify
correlations and explore digital-intervention efficacy. Preliminary analysis
revealed significant correlations between physiological responses and
behavioral outcomes, indicating the potential of physiological feedback to
enhance VR-based interventions for ASD. The study demonstrated the feasibility
of using real-time data to adapt virtual scenarios, suggesting a promising
avenue to support personalized therapy. The integration of quantitative
physiological feedback into digital platforms represents a forward step in the
personalized intervention for ASD. By leveraging real-time data to adjust
therapeutic content, this approach promises to enhance the efficacy and
engagement of digital-based therapies.