NCT02139514

Virtual Reality Social Cognition Training for Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 10 (actual)
• Sponsor: Yale University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Male
• Age: 18 Years – 40 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to predict and explain on the basis of brain function and structure the behavioral and brain effects of an evidence-based intervention for adults with high-functioning autism, Virtual Reality-Social Cognition Training (Kandalaft et al., 2012; Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders). Adults with autism will be randomly assigned to receive either (a) two hours per week of intervention services for five weeks, or (b) a treatment as usual control. The intervention will focus on enhancing social skills, social cognition, and social functioning. Outcome measures will evaluate changes in these social skills, cognition, and functioning using standardized assessments. We will perform structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at three time points-before, during, and after treatment (i.e., Time Point #1, 2, and 3).

Detailed description

The purpose of this study is to predict and explain on the basis of brain function and structure the behavioral and brain effects of an evidence-based intervention for adults with high-functioning autism, Virtual Reality-Social Cognition Training (Kandalaft et al., 2012; Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders). Adults with autism will be randomly assigned to receive either (a) two hours per week of intervention services for five weeks, or (b) a treatment as usual control. The intervention will focus on enhancing social skills, social cognition, and social functioning. Outcome measures will evaluate changes in these social skills, cognition, and functioning using standardized assessments. We will perform structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at three time points-before the treatment, after the treatment, and a 3-month follow-up (i.e., Time Point #1, 2, and 3). All the recruitment will be taking place at Yale Child Study Center (YCSC), while the intervention will be delivered online by therapists located at the Center for BrainHealth at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD). The intervention is called Virtual Reality-Social Cognition Training (VR-SCT) and has been approved by the IRB at UTD (approval number #06-54).

Conditions

• Autism Spectrum Disorders

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Virtual Reality Social Cognition Training	Social skills training via virtual reality with trained therapist.

Timeline

• Start date: 2013-01-01
• Primary completion: 2016-06-01
• Completion: 2016-06-01
• First posted: 2014-05-15
• Last updated: 2016-10-26

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States