Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40203018›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

The potential of evaluating shape drawing using machine learning for predicting high autistic traits.

Yoshimasa Ohmoto, Kazunori Terada, Hitomi Shimizu, Akira Imamura, Ryoichiro Iwanaga, Hirokazu Kumazaki

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Yoshimasa OhmotoFaculty of Informatics, Department of Behavior Informatics, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan.
Kazunori TeradaFaculty of Engineering, Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Computer Engineering, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan.
Hitomi ShimizuDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.
Akira ImamuraUnit of Medical Science, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan.
Ryoichiro IwanagaUnit of Medical Science, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan.
Hirokazu KumazakiDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.ORCID 0000-0002-2567-0276

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundChildren with high autistic traits often exhibit deficits in drawing, an important skill for social adaptability. Machine learning is a powerful technique for learning predictive models from movement data, so drawing processes and product characteristics can be objectively evaluated. This study aimed to assess the potential of evaluating shape drawing using machine learning to predict high autistic traits.

methodSeventy boys (5.03 ± 0.16) and 63 girls (5.06 ± 0.18) from the general population participated in the study. Participants were asked to draw shapes in the following order: equilateral triangle, inverted equilateral triangle, square, and the sun. A model for classifying participants as likely to have high autistic traits was developed using a support vector machine algorithm with a linear kernel utilizing 16 variables. A 16-inch liquid crystal display pen tablet was used to acquire data on hand-finger fine motor activity while the participants drew each shape. The X and Y coordinates of the pen tip, pen pressure, pen orientation, pen tilt, and eye movements were recorded to determine whether the participants had any problems with this skill. Eye movements were assessed using a webcam. These data and eye movements were used to identify the variables for the support vector machine model. DATA AND

resultsFor each shape, a model support vector machine was created to classify the high and low autistic trait groups, with accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity all above 85%. The specificity values across all models were 100%. In the inverted equilateral triangle model, specificity, accuracy, and sensitivity values were 100%.

conclusionsThese results demonstrate the potential of assessing shape characteristics using machine learning to predict high levels of autistic traits. Future studies with a wider variety of shapes are warranted to establish further the potential efficacy of drawing skills for screening for autism spectrum conditions.

Indexed as

Autistic DisorderMachine LearningChildChild, PreschoolEye MovementsFemaleHumansMaleSupport Vector Machine

Identifiers

PMID40203018
PMCPMC11981181

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.