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Group Depression Treatment for Autistic Youth

NCT05430022 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 48

Last updated 2024-11-08

Study results available
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Summary

Higher rates of depression are reported by autistic adolescents as compared to their non-autistic peers, which is problematic given adverse outcomes (e.g., negative self-esteem, lower academic performance) that are associated with depression. Despite the alarming rates of depression in autistic youth and associated safety concerns, few treatments have been developed. In this study, we investigate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an autism-adapted group cognitive-behavioral treatment for autistic adolescents (11-17 years old; middle and high school) in a pilot, nonrandomized trial. Specifically, we aim to increase adolescents' perception and understanding of self, including autistic identity, in order to treat depression. Intervention design and implementation were guided by autistic self-advocates and parents.

Conditions

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Autism-adapted Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

The autism-adapted Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) was designed by the PI and research team in collaboration with autistic stakeholders (i.e., adults, parents, researchers). It is a 12-week group intervention (90 min) delivered on a weekly basis in an outpatient psychiatry clinic by licensed clinical psychologists and psychology trainees. Each group is comprised of 8-9 autistic adolescents (11-17 years old; middle and high school) with depression. The intervention targets adolescents' perception and understanding of self, including autistic identity, through a series of cognitive-behavioral approaches including psychoeducation, emotion regulation, cognitive distortions, cognitive restructuring, behavioral rehearsals, and weekly homework assignments.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Jessica M Schwartzman, PhD · Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Study Design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
11 Years
Max Age
17 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2021-07-21
Primary Completion
2023-02-03
Completion
2023-04-03

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT05430022 on ClinicalTrials.gov