ICBT for OCD in Children With Autism

Summary

The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the clinical efficacy, the cost-effectiveness and the effect durability of a therapist-guided, internet-delivered cognitive-behavior therapy intervention for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in children and adolescents with autism. A process evaluation of the treatment will also be conducted.

Conditions

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Autism Spectrum Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Internet-delivered exposure and response prevention (I-ERP)

The intervention is internet-delivered and therapist-guided, involving the child and at least one caregiver. It consists of two separate sets of modules, one for the child and one for the caregiver. The intervention consists of 12 modules, delivered over a maximum of 14 weeks. The treatment includes psychoeducation about ASD, OCD, emotions, healthy habits, the difference between repetitive behaviours in autism and OCD, how compulsions maintain the obsessions, and the rationale for ERP. The main focus of the treatment is ERP tasks based on the young person's individual goals. The modules also contain homework tasks that are meant to be completed between modules, mainly consisting of ERP. The final module includes a summary of the treatment and a relapse prevention plan. The version for parents consists of the same content as the child treatment, but with elaborated psychoeducation, and additional focus on strategies on how to assist their child in the different exposure tasks.

BEHAVIORAL

Internet-delivered stress management (I-SM)

The intervention is internet-delivered and therapist-guided, involving the child and at least one caregiver. It consists of two separate sets of modules, one for the child and one for the caregiver. The intervention consists of 12 modules, delivered over a maximum of 14 weeks. The treatment includes psychoeducation about ASD, OCD, healthy habits, and how stress is a contributor to OCD symptoms. The rationale is that targeting and reducing stress will have a beneficial impact on anxiety, obsessions, and compulsions. The main goal of the treatment is to learn how to reduce stress, mainly by using relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and imagery (cognitive) relaxation. The modules also contain homework tasks that are meant to be completed between modules, mainly consisting of relaxation tasks. The version for parents contains psychoeducation, as well as strategies on how to assist their child in the different relaxation tasks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Region Stockholm

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Region Skane

  collaborator OTHER

• Vastra Gotaland Region

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Karolinska Institutet

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• David Mataix-Cols · Karolinska Institutet

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

7 Years

Max Age

17 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-11-25

Primary Completion

2027-06-30

Completion

2027-12-31

Countries

• Sweden

Study Locations