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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04788212

Transdiagnostic Group Behavioral Activation for Autistic Adults

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of a telehealth Group Behavioral Activation Therapy (GBAT) for autistic adults.

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Key information

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder Anger Anxiety Anxiety Disorders Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Depression Depression, Anxiety Mental Disorders Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Age range

18 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Rutgers University

Piscataway, New Jersey, 08854, United States

About this study

Detailed Description: This study is being done to demonstrate the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of a telehealth Group Behavioral Activation Therapy (GBAT) for autistic adults. GBAT is intended to help adults manage stress, anxiety, down moods, and anger. Similar programs have been shown to be effective in other contexts but has not yet been used for autistic adults or delivered via telehealth. Because this is a new intervention, the investigators are interested in learning 1) whether GBAT can be done with autistic adults (feasibility), 2) what autistic adults think about GBAT (acceptability), and 3) whether GBAT is effective for helping autistic adults cope with their feelings. Results from this study will be used to inform adaptation to the intervention and planning for future studies to further explore its effectiveness. For this initial feasibility study, 8 autistic adults (18-40 years old) with VIQ and NVIQ>85, reading composite at least 6th grade level and elevated symptoms of depression, anxiety or anger will be recruited.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Be 18-40 years old
  • Have a confirmed diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
  • Have access to a device (e.g., computer with a webcam or smartphone) in order to complete online surveys and participate in the telehealth videoconferencing sessions
  • *Have a VIQ and NVIQ of 85 or above
  • *Have at least a 6th grade reading composite
  • *Have elevated symptoms of depression, anxiety or anger. This will be determined based on scoring above the borderline or mild threshold on at least one of 3 screening measures (MINI; ASR; DASS-21).

Exclusion criteria

  • Are younger than 18 years old, or older than 40 years old (Children are excluded because the focus is on adapting GBAT for adults; Individuals above 40 are excluded to restrict the adult focus to young adults that are more likely to be in similar life stages).
  • Do not have an ASD diagnosis (because the study as the purpose of the current research is to examine GBAT's feasibility with autistic adults).
  • Both VIQ and NVIQ below 85 OR less than 6th grade reading level
  • Do not have elevated scores of depression, anxiety, or anger on the symptom screening measures.
  • Are unable to understand English fluently (because the instruments being investigated are currently only validated in English and the intervention will be delivered in English).
  • Are currently enrolled in another behavioral therapy or psychotherapy targeting depression,
  • the PI's clinical judgment that it would not be in the adult's best interest to be enrolled (e.g., due to factors that may affect their engagement or comfort in the group).

Treatment and study plan

Group Behavioral Activation Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Behavioral

This will be a modification of the Group Behavioral Activation Therapy program (Chu et al., 2009) for treatment of depression, anxiety and/or anger in autistic adults.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in symptoms on the Adult Self Report (ASR)

    Time frame: 10 week study period; 4 week post-treatment

    The ASR is a an assessment of adult psychopathology (e.g., anxiety, depression symptoms). Most of the items are on a 3 point scale including: (0) Not true, (1) Somewhat or sometimes true, and (2) Very often or often true.

  2. Change in Clinician Global Impairment rating

    Time frame: 10 week study period;

    The CGI is a 7 point scale on which the clinician rates the severity of the client's impairment. The scale ranges from 1 (Normal, not at all ill) to 7 Extremely Ill; higher scores indicate more impairment.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in symptoms on the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21

    Time frame: 10 week study period; 4 week post-treatment

    The DASS-21 is a 21-item measure of depression and anxiety symptoms. The measure produces scores in 3 domains: depression, anxiety, and stress. The score ranges on each domain is from 0-42. Higher scores on each domain indicate more impairment/ severity.

  2. Change in distress on Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)

    Time frame: 10 week study period

    The PHQ-9, assessed weekly, is a 9-item questionnaire of psychological function over the past week with all items on a "0" (not at all) to "3" (nearly every day) scale. Total scores range from 0 to 27; higher scores reflect greater levels of depressive symptoms.

  3. Change in anxiety symptoms on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7)

    Time frame: 10 week study period

    The GAD-7, assessed weekly, is a 7-item questionnaire of anxiety symptoms over the past week with all items on a "0" (not at all) to "3"(nearly every day) scale. Total scores range from 0 to 21; higher scores reflect greater levels of anxiety.

  4. Change in Adaptive Behavior Assessment System - 3 (ABAS-3)

    Time frame: 10 week study period

    The ABAS-3 is a measure of adaptive function that yields age-standardized scores for three domains (Conceptual, Social and Practical) and an overall Global Adaptive Composite. Each domain and the overall General Adaptive Composite result in a standard score, with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15 (scores between 86 and 114 are considered "Average" on this instrument; scores under 70 are classified as "Extremely Low" relative to same aged peers). Each domain is composed of several subdomains that yield scaled scale scores (Mean=10, SD=3), with scores between 7 and 13 falling in the "Average" range.

  5. Change in Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale

    Time frame: 10 week study period; 4 week post-treatment

    The BADS is a 25-item measure designed to assess how clients become activated over the course of Behavior Activation treatment. There are 25 questions, each rated on a seven point scale ranging from 0 to 6. There are four subscales:

    AC = Activation subscale [score range 0 to 42] AR = Avoidance/Rumination subscale [score range 0-48] WS = Work/School Impairment subscale [score range 0-30] SI = Social Impairment subscale [score range 0-30] Higher scores indicate a better outcome on the Activation subscale. Higher scores indicate a worse outcome on the Avoidance/Rumination subscale, Work/School Impairment subscale, and Social Impairment subscale.

  6. Change in Idiographic target goals

    Time frame: 10 week study period; 4 week post-treatment

    Clients are asked to identify 3 goals they would like to accomplish. There are no scores or scales. Each goal is a statement shared by the client relevant to their own experiences. Target goals are sensitive to change in treatment contexts.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Adaptation of a Transdiagnostic Behavioral Activation Telehealth Group for Autistic Adults

Acronym: GBAT

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2021
First posted
Mar 9, 2021
Registry last updated
Aug 5, 2021

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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