The effectiveness of spark and neurofeedback training programs on the cortisol levels of autistic children

Autism is a kind of progressive disorder that children suffer from anxiety in their personal and social life. The aim of the current study was to determine the effectiveness of 8 weeks of Spark Traning Program along with Neurofeedback on the cortisol levels of autistic children.
In a semi-experimental design, 24 autistic children aged 8 to 12 years were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups (1-Spark training 2- Neurofeedback 3-Spark training Neurofeedback and 4- control group). Three groups undergon 45 minutes 2 days per weeks therapeutic sessions in 8 weeks interval, whereas no intervention received by control subjects and just engaged in their routine activities. Cortisol measurements were administered in pre-test and post-test under the same conditions from all four groups.
Applying Analysis of Covariance on the resulting data showed that mean scores of the cortisol levels significantly decreased in the spark training group, neurofeedback group, and spark neurofeedback training group, and the most effectiveness was the combination of Spark and neurofeedback training, whereas no important changes detected for control group.
It could be concluded that receiving isolated and adjunct Spark and Neurofeedback training effectively reduce cortisol level in autistic children. Adjunct training however had robust effects.