Impact of Personalized Weighted Vest Protocols on Repetitive Behaviors and Occupational Performance in Children with Autism: A Pilot Study

Background: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often display repetitive behaviors that hinder daily activities and occupational performance. Weighted vests are frequently used in occupational therapy to provide proprioceptive input and potentially mitigate these behaviors, yet evidence supporting their effectiveness is inconclusive. This pilot study investigates the impact of personalized weighted vest protocols on repetitive behaviors and occupational performance in children with ASD. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of personalized weighted vest protocols in improving outcomes for children with ASD by comparing pre- and posttest scores on the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) and the Short Child Occupational Profile (SCOPE) within experimental and control groups and assessing posttest differences between the groups. Study Design: A pilot exploratory study was conducted to assess the efficacy of weighted vest protocols on repetitive behaviors and occupational performance in children with ASD. Methods: Ten children with ASD were recruited through convenience sampling and screened using the Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism (ISAA), with scores above 70 as inclusion criteria. The children were assigned to experimental ( n = 5) and control ( n = 5) groups. The experimental group received personalized weighted vest protocols alongside conventional occupational therapy, while the control group received sensory-motor, cognitive-perceptual, and behavioral interventions. Pre- and posttest assessments using the RBS-R and SCOPE were conducted. Paired and independent t -tests were performed to analyze within- and between-group differences using SPSS v24. Results: The experimental group exhibited significant improvement in overall RBS-R scores (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: pre: 80.60 ± 12.89; post: 91.60 ± 14.32; P = 0.054; 95% confidence interval [CI]: [− 17.83, −4.17]) and reductions in stereotyped behaviors ( P = 0.001; 99% CI: [0.68, 2.92]) and self-injurious behaviors ( P = 0.047; 95% CI: [0.76, 3.24]). Other subdomains, such as compulsive, ritualistic, sameness, and restricted behaviors, showed no significant changes. SCOPE scores increased (mean ± SD: pre: 39.00 ± 6.89; post: 45.20 ± 9.20; P = 0.051; 95% CI: [−16.20, 3.80]), although improvements in specific subscales (volition, habituation, communication, process, and motor skills) were not significant. Conclusion: Personalized weighted vest protocols reduce specific repetitive behaviors and enhance overall occupational performance in children with ASD. However, limited improvements in certain subscales highlight the need for further studies with larger samples and extended intervention periods to establish broader efficacy.