Randomized controlled pilot study of an app-based intervention for improving social skills, face perception, and eye gaze among youth with autism spectrum disorder

INTRODUCTION: This pilot study aimed to examine the effectiveness of an app-based intervention (Yface) in 53 children with autism spectrum disorder. Yface is a combined program that improves social skills, facial perception, and eye gaze. METHODS: Children were randomly assigned to one of the two training groups or a waitlist control group. One of the training groups completed the Yface training program lasting for 66 days, while the other training group used a similar app called Ycog, which focuses on cognitive rehabilitation. Questionnaires, computerized tasks, and semi-structured interviews were administered to children and their parents at pre- and post-training sessions. RESULTS: The Yface group showed improvements in face perception and some social skills compared to waitlist controls, and in eye gaze compared to the Ycog group. DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that this app-based intervention is effective in improving targeted social skills and face perception, although their relative effectiveness differs across skill domains.