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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04418492

An Intervention Targeting Daily Adaptive Skills Through Executive Function Training for Adults With ASD

The current study is a single group pilot study of a novel intervention program which targets improvements in executive functions and adaptive skills in transition age young adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. The main aim of the study is to test the effectiveness of the intervention using a pretest-posttest comparison. It is hypothesised that there will be an increase in executive functions and adaptive skills after the intervention.

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Key information

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder Autism Autistic Disorder Child Development Disorders, Pervasive High-functioning Autism Mental Disorders Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Seoul National University Bundang Hospital

Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

About this study

The participants engaged in a 10-week group-based intervention program which aims to improve daily adaptive skills based on executive functions and help the transition into adulthood in young adults with ASD. Before and after the intervention, the participants and their parents completed questionnaires that measure executive functions and adaptive skills, and the participants additionally completed an assessment of social adaptive skills. The differences between pre- and post-intervention scores of the outcome measures were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to evaluate the effect of the program.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • A clinical diagnosis of ASD as measured by the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised
  • Full-scale IQ of 70 or above as measured by the Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale

Exclusion criteria

  • Full-scale IQ less than 70
  • Uncooperative and lacking motivation to participate in the programme
  • Reporting clinically significant behavioural problems, emotion regulation problems, psychotic symptoms, risk of self-harm or harm to others which can affect the participation to the programme, which is screened by the screening assessments and interviews.

Treatment and study plan

Skills for Adaptive Functioning through Executive training (SAFE; tentative title)

Behavioral

An intervention program to improve adaptive skills and executive functions in young adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder was administered weekly for 10 weeks to the participants. The participants also completed pre-, mid- and post-intervention assessments.

Primary outcomes

  1. The change in the Korean version of Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (K-BDEFS)

    Time frame: 1 week before the intervention, between 5th and 6th session of the intervention and 1-3 week after the intervention.

    The Korean version of Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale measures executive functions of adults in everyday life. The score range is 89-356. Higher score indicates worse executive functioning.

  2. The change in the Korean version of Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale-II (K-Vineland-II)

    Time frame: 1 week before the intervention and 1-3 week after the intervention.

    The Korean version of Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale-II measures adaptive behavior. The scores are converted into a standard score with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15. Higher score indicates better adaptive functioning.

  3. The change in the Community Integration Skills Assessment-2 (CISA-2)

    Time frame: 1 week before the intervention and 1-3 week after the intervention.

    The Community Integration Skills Assessment-2 measures adaptive skills necessary for people with developmental disorders to integrate into the community. The scores are converted into a standard score with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15. Higher score indicates better community integration skills.

  4. The change in the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI)

    Time frame: 1 week before the intervention and 1-3 week after the intervention.

    The Cognitive Flexibility Inventory assesses cognitive flexibility. The score range is 19-113. Higher score indicates better cognitive flexibility.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Seoul National University Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

An Intervention Program Targeting Daily Adaptive Skills Through Executive Function Training for Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2020
Study completion
2020
First posted
Jun 5, 2020
Registry last updated
Jun 9, 2020

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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