Work

Affective User Experience (AUX) in Immersive Environments: A Systematic Review of Affective Computing in Immersive Environments for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: This study examines the integration of affective computing within immersive environments, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), to support affective user experience (AUX) in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Twenty-eight published empirical studies were analyzed following PRISMA guidelines, focusing on affective modalities, immersive technologies, methodological approaches, and intervention outcomes. Results indicate that immersive systems increasingly incorporate physiological sensing, eye-tracking, behavioral analytics, and, to a lesser extent, facial and speech recognition. Although 89% of studies rely on unimodal affective signals, emerging multimodal frameworks demonstrate enhanced adaptability and real-time emotional responsiveness. VR remains the predominant platform due to its high immersive capacity and controlled manipulation of social stimuli, while AR support interaction in everyday contexts, offering higher accessibility. Across studies, immersive affective systems show consistent benefits in emotion recognition, anxiety reduction, engagement, and social communication. However, the field is limited by small sample sizes, restricted real-world contextual relevance, and a lack of standardized AUX evaluation frameworks. This review identifies methodological gaps and proposes future research directions involving adaptive affective systems, low-cost sensors, and inclusive, longitudinal designs aimed at achieving emotionally intelligent, scalable, and context-aware immersive interventions for people with ASD.

Source: Applied Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/app16031528

Authors: Anais Monserrat Foix, Sandra Cano, Jose Osega, Fernando Moreira

Institutions: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Universidade Portucalense, Instituto Jurídico Portucalense, REMIT – Research on Economics, Management and Information Technologies, University of Aveiro

Language: English

Topic: Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts

Subfield: Human-Computer Interaction

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896