Title: Design and implementation of a breathing interaction system for autistic Thai children

Authors: Pitsanu Chaichitwanidchakol; Witcha Feungchan

Addresses: Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, Faculty of Science, Udonthani Rajabhat University, Udon Thani 41000, Thailand ' Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand

Abstract: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is utilised to treat a variety of abnormal symptoms and assist children with autism improve their development in a variety of areas. The goal of this study is to help children with autism practise breathing at a pace that is near normal in order to deliver more oxygen to the brain. As a result, breathing interactions with two VR games were created specifically for autistic youngsters. First, an ASD breathing game allows a child to interact with real-time respiration rate, the practitioners could assist the child to breathe near the norm. Second, an ASD underwater exercise game allows a youngster to practise breathing skills while underwater and in the water. It involves an interactional breathing pattern. Both games employ virtual reality (VR) technology to aid in teaching proper breathing techniques. The findings of the game test show that autistic children's usage of breathing interaction patterns is successful.

Keywords: pervasive learning; virtual reality; VR; bio interaction; breath interaction; virtual feedback; simulation; autism; respiratory; hyperbaric oxygen therapy; HBOT; hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy; HE.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMLO.2024.135121

International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 2024 Vol.18 No.1, pp.74 - 100

Received: 29 Dec 2021
Accepted: 16 Apr 2022
Published online: 01 Dec 2023 *