NCT05030610

Adaptation of a Behavioral Activation Treatment to Treat Depression in Autistic Adults

Treating Depression in Autistic Adults: A Feasibility Trial of an Adapted Behavioral Activation Program

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 13 (actual)
• Sponsor: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The present study aims to adapt and evaluate the feasibility of the BeatIt behavioral activation intervention for people with intellectual disabilities and low mood to be implemented with autistic individuals, with and without intellectual disabilities.

Detailed description

The study has two specific aims: 1. Adapt BeatIt materials for use with autistic adults with and without Intellectual Disability (ID). Focus groups engaging key stakeholders will inform the adaptation of BeatIt for autistic adults (i.e., BeatIt-ASD). A stakeholder advisory team will provide input through the duration of the study. 2. Evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of BeatIt-ASD for autistic adults. This includes examining if the data demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of the BeatIt-ASD program for autistic adults and provide preliminary evidence for behavioral change (i.e., increased engagement in meaningful activities and reduced depressive symptoms). Data will demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of the adapted BeatIt intervention for autistic adults and provide preliminary evidence for reduction of depression symptoms via regulation of routines and achievement of meaningful goals.

Conditions

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Depression
• Depressive Symptoms

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	BeatIt-ASD	BeatIt-ASD, designed to be implemented with autistic individuals, is an adaptation of BeatIt. The intervention aims to improve mood and decrease depressive symptoms through an increase in meaningful engagement in recreational, domestic, and social/leisure activities.

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-08-25
• Primary completion: 2022-12-07
• Completion: 2022-12-07
• First posted: 2021-09-01
• Last updated: 2023-04-03

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States