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Meta-Analysis
. 2023 Jun;53(6):2430-2443.
doi: 10.1007/s10803-022-05524-z. Epub 2022 Mar 30.

Eye-Tracking Studies in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Imanol Setien-Ramos #  1 , Jorge Lugo-Marín #  2   3 , Laura Gisbert-Gustemps  4   5   6 , Emiliano Díez-Villoria  7 , María Magán-Maganto  7 , Ricardo Canal-Bedia  7 , Josep Antoni Ramos-Quiroga  1   4   5   6
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Eye-Tracking Studies in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Imanol Setien-Ramos et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2023 Jun.

Abstract

Eye-tracking studies have shown potential in effectively discriminating between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and non-ASD groups. The main objective of the present study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of eye-tracking studies in adults with ASD. A total of 22 studies were included for meta-analysis. Eyes and Non-Social regions proved better for discriminating between ASD and non-ASD adults, while fixation duration seems to be the outcome to choose. Active engaged tasks seem to reduce differences between ASD and non-ASD adults, regardless of the emotional content of the stimuli/task. Proportional fixation duration on eyes and non-social areas in non-active tasks (e.g. free viewing) seems to be the best eye-tracking design for increasing the sensitivity and specificity in ASD adults.

Keywords: Adults; Autism spectrum disorder; Eye-tracking; Meta-analysis; Systematic review.

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