New technologies designed to improve the communication of autistic children can also help to promote interaction processes and cognitive and social development. The aim of this study was to analyze the instruments used to improve the communication skills of children with autism spectrum disorder. We searched the PubMed and Web of Science databases using the descriptors “autism”, “Asperger”, “education”, “children” and “assistive technology” and selected articles that met the following inclusion criteria: (i) original research; (ii) written in English; (iii) based on participants with a primary diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder; and (iv) tested an instrument designed to promote communication in children with autism spectrum disorder. Our search retrieved 811 articles, of which 34 met the inclusion criteria. Data on 26 instruments were extracted, and the measurement properties of the instruments were combined with information about their outcomes and presentation. The most commonly used interventions were the Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children program and the Picture Exchange Communication System. The Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children program was shown to produce improvements in the communication skills, socialization and self-care skills of children with autism spectrum disorder. The Picture Exchange Communication System produced inconsistent results. The results of the identified studies confirm the significant importance of these instruments in improving the communicative process of autistic children.

INTRODUÇÃO: O Declínio da função física é uma característica comum de idade avançada e tem consequências importantes em termos de saúde física e qualidade de vida. Nossa capacidade de aprendizagem motora nos permite adaptar movimentos a um ambiente em constante mudança. A expressão Realidade Virtual refere-se a uma ampla variedade de métodos usados para simular uma alternativa ao mundo virtual. OBJETIVO: Analisar os resultados apresentados em estudos anteriores sobre aprendizagem motora com o uso de Realidade Virtual em participantes idosos. MÉTODO: Para selecionar os artigos, três etapas foram seguidas. Uma revisão sistemática da literatura foi realizada sem limitação de tempo. A pesquisa foi realizada utilizando PubMed, BVS e Web os Science; considerando-se as palavras-chave, incluímos artigos que apresentaram os três seguintes termos:, realidade virtual idosos e aprendizagem motora. RESULTADOS: A busca inicial rendeu 49 artigos. Depois da remoção de duplicações, dois dos autores avaliaram independentemente o título e o resumo de cada artigo em relação aos critérios de inclusão do estudo. Destes, 45 artigos foram excluídos com base no título e resumo. Finalmente, quatro artigos preencheram os critérios de inclusão. CONCLUSÃO: Embora poucos estudos foram encontrados sobre a aprendizagem motora em pessoas idosas através da realidade virtual e, menos ainda eram de boa qualidade, foi mostrado que as pessoas idosas, com ou sem uma doença específica, podem se beneficiar de intervenções com base na realidade virtual para melhorar a habilidades de aprendizagem motora.

INTRODUCTION: Decline in physical function is a common feature of older age and has important outcomes in terms of physical health as it relates to quality of life. Our capacity for motor learning allows us to flexibly adapt movements to an ever-changing environment. The term Virtual Reality refers to a wide variety of methods used to simulate an alternative or virtual world. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results shown in previous studies on motor learning with Virtual Reality use in elderly participants. METHOD: To select the articles, three steps were followed. A systematic literature review was performed without time limitation. The research was carried out using PubMed, BVS and Web of science; considering the keywords, we included articles that showed the following three terms: elderly, virtual reality and motor learning. RESULTS: The initial search yielded 49 articles. After duplicates were removed, two of the authors independently evaluated the title and abstract of each article against the study inclusion criteria. From these, 45 articles were excluded based on title and abstract. Finally, four articles met the inclusion criteria. CONCLUSION: Although few studies were conducted on motor learning in elderly people through virtual reality and, even fewer were of good quality, it was shown that elderly people, with or without a specific disease, can benefit from interventions based on virtual reality to improve motor learning skills.