A study found that adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or social communication disorder (SCD) improve their social skills by playing mobile games. Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties in communication and emotional interaction, often leading to repetitive behaviors or interests in unusual topics. Social communication disorder involves difficulties in communication due to an inability to understand verbal and non-verbal cues.
A research team led by Jeong Yoo-sook, a professor of psychiatry at Samsung Medical Center, noted on the 16th that "social skill training programs created through mobile games are effective in improving the social skills of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder." The study was published in the April issue of the journal Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. Yoo Jae-hyun, a professor of psychiatry at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, and Chey Tae-won, a professor of psychiatry at Daegu Catholic University Medical Center, also participated in the research.
The research team recruited 38 adolescents aged 10 to 18 who have autism spectrum disorder or social communication disorder in 2023. They had previously received drug treatment, psychotherapy, and social skills training at the hospital. The team divided the adolescents into two groups: those receiving standard treatment (19 individuals) and those receiving treatment combined with mobile games (19 individuals) and observed them for six weeks.
The mobile game used was the 'NDTx-01' smartphone app developed by the digital therapy development company NewDive. It presents various situations encountered at school, allowing players to perform tasks and solve problems. For example, when simulating the first meeting with a friend, players select appropriate responses and continue the conversation.
The results indicated that the group receiving treatment combined with mobile games showed significantly improved social skills. In the comprehensive adaptive behavior assessment, which includes communication, social skills, and daily living, the group using mobile games increased their score by 5.89 points, while the standard treatment group increased by only 1.21 points.
When evaluating social skills alone, the group using mobile games increased by 6.05 points, while the standard treatment group increased by just 0.42 points. For daily living skills, the group receiving combined treatment with mobile games saw an increase of 4.16 points, whereas the standard treatment group actually decreased by 0.74 points.
Professor Jeong Yoo-sook stated, "It can be seen that the interest in games allows patients to become engrossed, thereby increasing the therapeutic effect," adding that "in situations where continuous in-person treatment is difficult, treatment can be administered at home using smartphones under the guidance of medical professionals."
References
PCN(2025), DOI : https://doi.org/10.1111/pcn.13824