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document
Behavioral and physiological effects of deep pressure on children with autism : a pilot study evaluating the efficacy of Grandin 's Hug Machine . OBJECTIVE One symptom common to many persons with autism is a high arousal or anxiety level . This study investigated the effects of deep pressure on arousal and anxiety reduction in autism with Grandin 's Hug Machine , a device that allows self-administration of lateral body pressure . METHOD Twelve children with autism were randomly assigned to either an experimental group ( receiving deep pressure ) or a placebo group ( not receiving deep pressure but in the disengaged Hug Machine ) . All children received two 20-min sessions a week over a 6-week period . Arousal was measured behaviorally with the Conners Parent Rating Scale and physiologically with galvanic skin response ( GSR ) readings . RESULTS Behavioral results indicated a significant reduction in tension and a marginally significant reduction in anxiety for children who received the deep pressure compared with the children who did not . Additionally , children in the experimental group , whose GSR measures decreased , on average , after deep pressure , were somewhat more likely to have higher GSR arousal a priori . CONCLUSION These preliminary findings support the hypothesis that deep pressure may have a calming effect for persons with autism , especially those with high levels of arousal or anxiety .
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Intervention_Physical
deep pressure
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Intervention_Physical
Grandin 's Hug Machine .
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Intervention_Physical
deep pressure
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Intervention_Physical
Grandin 's Hug Machine
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Intervention_Physical
( receiving deep pressure )
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Intervention_Control
placebo
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Intervention_Control
( not receiving deep pressure but in the disengaged Hug Machine )
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Intervention_Physical
deep pressure
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Outcome_Mental
Arousal
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Outcome_Mental
Conners Parent Rating Scale and physiologically with galvanic skin response ( GSR ) readings
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Outcome_Mental
significant reduction in tension
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Outcome_Mental
marginally significant reduction in anxiety
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Outcome_Mental
GSR measures
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Outcome_Mental
GSR arousal
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Participant_Condition
children with autism :