The Effectiveness of an Attention-based Intervention for School Aged Autistic Children With Anger Regulating Problems

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Interventions: Behavioral: Parent psycho-education; Behavioral: Anger can go!

• Registration Number: NCT05221515
• Lead Sponsor: VU University of Amsterdam

Brief Summary

Children on the autism spectrum often show aggressive behavior. Treatment can train children to be more aware of their emotions. Investigators studied the effectiveness of an attention-based intervention tailored on aggressive behavior problems and the use of anger coping strategies of school aged autistic children with anger regulation problems.

Detailed Description

Investigators studied the effectiveness of an attention-based intervention tailored on aggressive behavior problems and the use of anger coping strategies of school aged autistic children with anger regulation problems. Using a randomized controlled trial (RCT), children were allocated to the attention-based treatment in combination with a psycho-educational parent-training (treatment group) or to the parent-training only (active control group).

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2011-01-01
• Primary Completion: 2018-10-30
• Study Completion: 2018-10-30
• Study First Submitted: 2021-11-23
• Status Verified: 2022-02
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-02-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-02-02
• Study First Posted: 2022-02-03
• Last Update Posted: 2022-02-03

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 51

Inclusion Criteria

• Primary diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
• age 8 - 13
• seeking treatment for aggressive behaviour problems

Exclusion Criteria

• psychotropic medication still being set

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Control condition	Parent psycho-education	Participants received only parent training
Intervention condition	Anger can go!	Participants received both parent training and child-focussed treatment
Intervention condition	Parent psycho-education	Participants received both parent training and child-focussed treatment

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Aggressive behavior problems: aggression as reported by teacher	9 weeks later after treatment	The aggression sub scale from the Teacher Rating Form (TRF). Minimum value: 0, maximum value: 36. A higher score means more aggression.
Aggressive behavior problems: aggression as reported by parent	9 weeks later after treatment	The aggression sub scale from the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Minimum value: 0, maximum value: 36. A higher score means more aggression.
Anger coping strategies	9 weeks later after treatment	The Behavioral Anger Response Questionnaire for children (BARQ-C)
Aggressive behavior problems: Arguing, Temper tantrums, Destroying things and Physical violence	9 weeks later after treatment	Questionnaire Social Behavior (QSB) measuring behavioral and emotion regulation problems typical for autistic children.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Social impairment due to autism symptoms	9 weeks later after treatment	Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). Minimum value: 0, maximum value: 195. A higher score means more impairments.
Quality of life of the child	9 weeks later after treatment	Pediatric Quality of life inventory (Peds ql): Physical Functioning, Emotional Functioning, Social Functioning and School Functioning.
Parental well-being	9 weeks later after treatment	Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90). Minimum value: 0, maximum value: 360. A higher score indicates a worse well-being.
Parental stress	9 weeks later after treatment	Nijmeegse Ouderlijke Stress Index (NOSI). Minimum value: 6, maximum value: 66. A higher score means more stress

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

De Bascule; 🇳🇱 Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Wei43; 🇳🇱 Amsterdam, Netherlands