NCT01565629

Computer- Assisted Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Anxiety Disorders in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of South Florida · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 7 Years – 12 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study will examine the efficacy of a computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (CCBT) program for children with anxiety and autism spectrum disorders.

Detailed description

Many children who have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience substantial anxiety that can cause impairment above that of an ASD alone. Few studies have examined effective treatment options for anxiety in this population.Preliminary studies have established the efficacy of computer-assisted cognitive behavioral therapy in otherwise typically developing youth with anxiety. Accordingly, this study seeks to examine the efficacy of computer assisted CBT in children with autism and ASD. A randomized-control trial will examine the ability of computer-assisted CBT to treat anxiety in comparison to a waitlist condition. This study will recruit approximately 40 youth ages 7-12 years. Significant reductions in anxiety severity and overall improvement of functioning will establish this treatment's ability to treat anxiety. This study aims to evaluate the acute efficacy of CCBT relative to WAITLIST in children with ASD and comorbid anxiety disorders;examine the short-term durability of treatment gains for youth receiving CCBT; examine whether, relative to WAITLIST, CCBT results in improved social; adaptive; and global functioning, as well as reduced child- and parent-rated anxiety symptoms; and examine whether, relative to WAITLIST, CCBT is associated with greater satisfaction and consumer acceptability.

Conditions

• Autism
• Asperger's Syndrome
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Social Phobia
• Separation Anxiety Disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive Disorder

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Computer assisted cognitive behavioral therapy.	Those who choose to participate will be required to attend 4 assessments - pre-treatment (week 0), mid-treatment (week 8), post-treatment, and a 4th assessment for a 3 month Follow-up. All children regardless of condition will follow the CCBT protocol (Camp Cope-A-lot), which is the computer-assisted intervention being examined in this study. The first 6 levels of this program are skill building levels to be completed by the user. The remaining 6 levels are completed with the therapist and consist of exposure tasks and rehearsal geared toward each child.

Timeline

• Start date: 2012-02-01
• Primary completion: 2016-10-01
• Completion: 2016-10-01
• First posted: 2012-03-28
• Last updated: 2017-10-26

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States