ABSTRACT

Objective: This study aimed to identify the effects, dependent variables, and protocols of the DIR/FLOORTIME intervention in children with autistic spectrum disorder. Methods: Databases were collected using Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Excerpta Media Database, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar. Studies were selected according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flowchart. Ultimately, 11 studies were included in the final analysis. These selected studies were evaluated using the qualitative level model of evidence-based studies suggested by Arbesman et al. in 2008. Results: Four randomized controlled studies corresponded to level I. The level of evidence for DIR/FLOORTIME was high. The dependent variables of the DIR/FLOORTIME intervention were communication and emotion, parental stress, autism severity, sensory processing, developmental milestones, cognition, language, and play. Significant results were obtained for all studies. Conclusion: This study investigated the application of the DIR/FLOORTIME intervention technique in children with autism spectrum disorder, and the basis for future strategies and protocols for using the DIR/FLOORTIME interventions in these children were presented.