Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41594778›Full record

ReviewBrain sciences2025

Application of Artificial Intelligence Tools for Social and Psychological Enhancement of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review.

Angeliki Tsapanou, Anastasia Bouka, Angeliki Papadopoulou, Christina Vamvatsikou, Dionisia Mikrouli, Eirini Theofila, Kassandra Dionysopoulou, Konstantina Kortseli, Panagiota Lytaki, Theoni Myrto Spyridonidi and 1 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Brain sciences, 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

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

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. Review
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

11 authors.

Angeliki TsapanouDepartment of Speech Therapy, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
Anastasia BoukaPostgraduate Program in Health Education, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
Angeliki PapadopoulouPostgraduate Program in Health Education, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
Christina VamvatsikouPostgraduate Program in Health Education, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
Dionisia MikrouliPostgraduate Program in Health Education, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
Eirini TheofilaPostgraduate Program in Health Education, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
Kassandra DionysopoulouPostgraduate Program in Health Education, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
Konstantina KortseliPostgraduate Program in Health Education, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
Panagiota LytakiPostgraduate Program in Health Education, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
Theoni Myrto SpyridonidiPostgraduate Program in Health Education, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
Panagiotis PlotasDepartment of Speech Therapy, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.ORCID 0000-0001-5514-7083

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundChildren with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly experience persistent difficulties in social communication, emotional regulation, and social engagement. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI)-based technologies, particularly socially assistive robots and intelligent sensing systems, have been explored as complementary tools to support psychosocial interventions in this population.

objectiveThis systematic review aimed to critically evaluate recent evidence on the effectiveness of AI-based interventions in improving social, emotional, and cognitive functioning in children with ASD.

methodsA systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed following PRISMA guidelines, targeting English-language studies published between 2020 and 2025. Eligible studies involved children with ASD and implemented AI-driven tools within therapeutic or educational settings. Eight studies met inclusion criteria and were analyzed using the PICO framework.

resultsThe reviewed interventions included humanoid and non-humanoid robots, gaze-tracking systems, and theory of mind-oriented applications. Across studies, AI-based interventions were associated with improvements in joint attention, social communication and reciprocity, emotion recognition and regulation, theory of mind, and task engagement. Outcomes were assessed using standardized behavioral measures, observational coding, parent or therapist reports, and physiological or sensor-based indices. However, the studies were characterized by small and heterogeneous samples, short intervention durations, and variability in outcome measures.

conclusionsCurrent evidence suggests that AI-based systems may serve as valuable adjuncts to conventional interventions for children with ASD, particularly for supporting structured social and emotional skill development. Nonetheless, methodological limitations and limited long-term data underscore the need for larger, multi-site trials with standardized protocols to better establish efficacy, generalizability, and ethical integration into clinical practice.

Indexed as

AI toolsautism spectrum disorderchildrengenerative artificial intelligentinteractionsocial skills

Identifiers

PMID41594778
PMCPMC12839220

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Registered trials

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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.