NCT06591130

Culturally Adapted Intervention to Prevent Self-harm in Young People With Autism

A Pilot Trial of a Culturally Adapted Intervention to Prevent Self-harm in Young People With Autism

• Status: Active Not Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 80 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 14 Years – 24 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this feasibility randomized controlled trial is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of Youth Culturally Adapted Manually Assisted brief psychological intervention (YCMAP) in young people with autism in Pakistan. In a rater-blind, 2-arm, multi-site, feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT), participants will be randomized either to 1) YCMAP added to the Treatment as Usual (TAU) or 2) TAU alone. Participants in the Y-CMAP arm will receive 8-10 sessions delivered individually over 3 months (weekly for 1 month then fortnightly), lasting for 60 minutes. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and at 3 months.

Conditions

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Self Harm

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Youth culturally adapted manual assisted psychological intervention (Y-CMAP)	YCMAP (Youth culturally adapted manual assisted psychological intervention) is based on CBT principles. It comprises of 8-10 sessions delivered individually over 3 months (weekly for 1 month then fortnightly), lasting for 60 minutes. The intervention includes psycho-education and a comprehensive cognitive behavioural assessment of the self-harm attempt using virtual stories of four young people. Therapists and young person choose from a list of techniques those which are most relevant to the young person's problems. Therapy is therefore adapted to fit with the young person's problems and primarily utilises problem solving, CBT, and dialectical therapy strategies to bring about change. To help determine the most appropriate coping strategy a coping tree is designed. Training in assertiveness and anger management are offered to help the young person to develop resilience to cope with stress.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-10-01
• Primary completion: 2026-02-15
• Completion: 2026-04-01
• First posted: 2024-09-19
• Last updated: 2026-04-13

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Pakistan