Internet-based Treatment for Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Summary

The group of patients diagnosed with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasing and so is the need for new and effective treatment methods. ASD is characterized, among other things, by difficulties in social interaction and communication. These difficulties often affects their quality of life and causes a risk of developing social anxiety or other forms of mental illness, which often leads to isolation and may cause difficulties in participating in regular face- to- face psychological treatment. Although research shows that group therapy is favorable for this group of patients, many with ASD refrain from group-treatment due to social anxiety or difficulties with public transport. In order to increase the availability of evidence based psychological treatment for these patients, it seems important to be able to offer a web-based treatment option, with the ability to participate in online group sessions.

The aim of the study is to investigate whether Internet-based CBT is an effective method of improving the quality of life and sense of coherence and decreasing symtoms of anxiety and depression among adults with ASD.

A randomized controlled study design will be used. Assessment will be conducted through video interviews, recruiting 84 patients with ASD and normal intellectual abilities. Symptoms of depression and other forms of psychopathology will be assessed through MINI-7 interviews. Primary outcome measures are quality of life. Participants in the intervention group receives a 18 week blended treatment combining individual ICBT delivered through a treatment platform called Stöd och Behandling (SOB) with the opportunity to participate in regular group discussions delivered through a discussion forum online. Participants in the control groups are offered self-studies through psycho educative books about ASD. Data will be collected at baseline, mid-treatment, post-treatment and after six and 12 months.

Conditions

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Internet-based treatment for adults with autism spectrum

Internet-based CBT. The intervention includes 18 modules focusing on: Psychoeducation, individual goal setting, behavioral change, management strategies and stress management

BEHAVIORAL

Psychoeducation about autism spectum disorder

Self-studies by reading the book "What does the disability mean ?: Living with autism / Asperger syndrome. Project Empowerment "(2004), by Norrö \& Swing Åström, as well as a book of biographical stories of people who have ASD. The first book will be read during the first half of the project, and the second will be in the second half.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Örebro University, Sweden

  collaborator OTHER

• Regional Research Council Mid Sweden

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Fredrik och Ingrid Thurings Stiftelse

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Stiftelsen Professor Bror Gadelius Minnesfond

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Örebro County Council

  lead OTHER_GOV

Principal Investigators

• Britta Westerberg · Region Örebro County

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

16 Years

Max Age

55 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2018-08-01

Primary Completion

2020-05-30

Completion

2020-05-30

Countries

• Sweden

Study Locations