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document
The effect of the video game Mindlight on anxiety symptoms in children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder . BACKGROUND In the clinical setting , a large proportion of children with an autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) experience anxiety symptoms . Because anxiety is an important cause of impairment for children with an ASD , it is necessary that effective anxiety interventions are implemented for these children . Recently , a serious game called Mindlight has been developed that is focused on decreasing anxiety in children . This approach is based on recent research suggesting that video games might be suitable as an intervention vehicle to enhance mental health in children . In the present study it will be investigated whether Mindlight is effective in decreasing ( sub ) clinical anxiety symptoms in children who are diagnosed with an ASD . METHODS/DESIGN The present study involves a randomized controlled trial ( RCT ) with two conditions ( experimental versus control ) , in which it is investigated whether Mindlight is effective in decreasing ( sub ) clinical anxiety symptoms in children with an ASD . For this study , children of 8-16 years old with a diagnosis of an ASD and ( sub ) clinical anxiety symptoms will be randomly assigned to the experimental ( N = 60 ) or the control ( N = 60 ) condition . Children in the experimental condition will play Mindlight for one hour per week , for six consecutive weeks . Children in the control condition will play the puzzle game Triple Town , also for one hour per week and for six consecutive weeks . All children will complete assessments at baseline , post-intervention and 3-months follow-up . Furthermore , parents and teachers will also complete assessments at the same time points . The primary outcome will be child report of anxiety symptoms . Secondary outcomes will be parent report of child anxiety , child/parent report of depressive symptoms , and parent/teacher report of social functioning and behavior problems . DISCUSSION This paper aims to describe a study that will examine the effect of the serious game Mindlight on ( sub ) clinical anxiety symptoms of children with an ASD in the age of 8-16 years old . It is expected that children in the experimental condition will show lower levels of anxiety symptoms at 3-months follow-up , compared to children in the control condition . If Mindlight turns out to be effective , it could be an important contribution to the already existing interventions for anxiety in children with an ASD . Mindlight could then be implemented as an evidence-based treatment for anxiety symptoms in children with an ASD in mental health institutes and special education schools . TRIAL REGISTRATION Dutch Trial Register NTR5069 . Registered 20 April 2015 .
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Intervention_Educational
video game Mindlight
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Intervention_Educational
game called Mindlight
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Intervention_Educational
video games
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Intervention_Educational
Mindlight
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Intervention_Educational
Mindlight
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Intervention_Educational
play Mindlight
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Intervention_Educational
puzzle game Triple Town
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Intervention_Educational
Mindlight
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Intervention_Educational
Mindlight
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Outcome_Mental
anxiety symptoms
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Outcome_Mental
anxiety symptoms
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Outcome_Mental
clinical anxiety symptoms
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Outcome_Mental
anxiety symptoms
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Outcome_Mental
anxiety symptoms
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Outcome_Mental
child report of anxiety symptoms
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Outcome_Mental
parent report of child anxiety
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Outcome_Mental
child/parent report of depressive symptoms
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Outcome_Mental
parent/teacher report of social functioning and behavior problems
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Outcome_Physical
ASD in the age of 8-16 years old .
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Outcome_Mental
anxiety symptoms
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Outcome_Mental
anxiety symptoms
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Participant_Age
children
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Participant_Condition
an Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Participant_Condition
children with an autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) experience anxiety symptoms .
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Participant_Age
children
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Participant_Condition
an ASD
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Participant_Age
children
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Participant_Condition
who are diagnosed with an ASD
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Participant_Age
children of 8-16 years old
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Participant_Condition
with an ASD