Behavioral Activation for Treatment of Depression in Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- University of Virginia
- Enrollment
- 18
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Children's Depression Inventory, Second Edition, Parent Report
Study Overview
Brief Summary
In this study, the investigators will examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a novel, behavior-based approach for treatment of depression symptoms in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder or ASD (i.e., Behavioral Activation for Adolescents with ASD, BA-A).
Detailed Description
In this study, the investigators will examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a novel, behavior-based approach for treatment of depression symptoms in adolescents with ASD (i.e., Behavioral Activation for Adolescents with ASD, BA-A). BA-A is a 12-session manualized treatment that utilizes established behavioral activation strategies and incorporates common mental health treatment adaptations for young people with ASD. For this project, the investigators will pilot BA-A with 23 adolescents (12-17 years of age) with ASD and clinically significant depression symptoms. To investigate BA-A feasibility, the investigators will examine treatment session attendance and therapist treatment fidelity. To investigate BA-A acceptability, the investigators will utilize a mixed methods approach, inclusive of surveys and qualitative interviews, to inform BA-A protocol refinement. To investigate BA-A preliminary efficacy, the investigators will examine depression symptoms, as well as secondary outcome measures, at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and one-month follow-up.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Na
- Intervention Model
- Single Group
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 10 Years to 17 Years (Child)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •Previous diagnosis of ASD by a qualified health care provider
- •Children's Depression Inventory, Second Edition (CDI2) parent-report and/or self-report T- score ≥ 65
- •Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, Second Edition (WASI-II) Full Scale IQ, Two-Subtest Form (FSIQ-2) ≥ 85
- •Participation of a parent or legal guardian living in the same home who can read and write in English at or above the fifth grade level
- •Teens must have been on a stable dose of medications for mood, anxiety, or behavior for at least three months prior to enrollment and have no planned medication changes during study period
- •Not actively participating in another psychotherapy during study period
Exclusion Criteria
- •High suicide risk
- •Physical aggression
- •Psychotic and/or manic symptoms
Arms & Interventions
BA-A
Teens will participate in BA-A. BA-A is a 12-session manualized treatment that utilizes established BA strategies and incorporates common mental health treatment adaptations for young people with ASD.
Intervention: BA-A (Behavioral)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Children's Depression Inventory, Second Edition, Parent Report
Time Frame: Change from pre-treatment to post-treatment (i.e., within one week of finishing 12-week treatment) and one-month following treatment
Children's Depression Inventory, Second Edition, Self Report
Time Frame: Change from pre-treatment to post-treatment (i.e., within one week of finishing 12-week treatment) and one-month following treatment
Children's Depression Rating Scale, Revised
Time Frame: Change from pre-treatment to post-treatment (i.e., within one week of finishing 12-week treatment) and one-month following treatment
Secondary Outcomes
- Social Skills Improvement System, Parent Report(Change from pre-treatment to post-treatment (i.e., within one week of finishing 12-week treatment) and one-month following treatment)
- Spence Children's Anxiety Scale, Self Report(Change from pre-treatment to post-treatment (i.e., within one week of finishing 12-week treatment) and one-month following treatment)
- Spence Children's Anxiety Scale, Parent Report(Change from pre-treatment to post-treatment (i.e., within one week of finishing 12-week treatment) and one-month following treatment)
Investigators
Micah Mazurek
Novartis U.S. Foundation Professor of Education
University of Virginia