The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of a telehealth Group Behavioral Activation Therapy (GBAT) for autistic adults.
Detailed Description: This study is being done to demonstrate the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of a telehealth Group Behavioral Activation Therapy (GBAT) for autistic adults. GBAT is intended to help adults manage stress, anxiety, down moods, and anger. Similar programs have been shown to be effective in other contexts but has not yet been used for autistic adults or delivered via telehealth. Because this is a new intervention, the investigators are interested in learning 1) whether GBAT can be done with autistic adults (feasibility), 2) what autistic adults think about GBAT (acceptability), and 3) whether GBAT is effective for helping autistic adults cope with their feelings. Results from this study will be used to inform adaptation to the intervention and planning for future studies to further explore its effectiveness. For this initial feasibility study, 8 autistic adults (18-40 years old) with VIQ and NVIQ\>85, reading composite at least 6th grade level and elevated symptoms of depression, anxiety or anger will be recruited.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
6
This will be a modification of the Group Behavioral Activation Therapy program (Chu et al., 2009) for treatment of depression, anxiety and/or anger in autistic adults.
Rutgers University
Piscataway, New Jersey, United States
Change in symptoms on the Adult Self Report (ASR)
The ASR is a an assessment of adult psychopathology (e.g., anxiety, depression symptoms). Most of the items are on a 3 point scale including: (0) Not true, (1) Somewhat or sometimes true, and (2) Very often or often true.
Time frame: 10 week study period; 4 week post-treatment
Change in Clinician Global Impairment rating
The CGI is a 7 point scale on which the clinician rates the severity of the client's impairment. The scale ranges from 1 (Normal, not at all ill) to 7 Extremely Ill; higher scores indicate more impairment.
Time frame: 10 week study period;
Change in symptoms on the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21
The DASS-21 is a 21-item measure of depression and anxiety symptoms. The measure produces scores in 3 domains: depression, anxiety, and stress. The score ranges on each domain is from 0-42. Higher scores on each domain indicate more impairment/ severity.
Time frame: 10 week study period; 4 week post-treatment
Change in distress on Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
The PHQ-9, assessed weekly, is a 9-item questionnaire of psychological function over the past week with all items on a "0" (not at all) to "3" (nearly every day) scale. Total scores range from 0 to 27; higher scores reflect greater levels of depressive symptoms.
Time frame: 10 week study period
Change in anxiety symptoms on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7)
The GAD-7, assessed weekly, is a 7-item questionnaire of anxiety symptoms over the past week with all items on a "0" (not at all) to "3"(nearly every day) scale. Total scores range from 0 to 21; higher scores reflect greater levels of anxiety.
Time frame: 10 week study period
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Change in Adaptive Behavior Assessment System - 3 (ABAS-3)
The ABAS-3 is a measure of adaptive function that yields age-standardized scores for three domains (Conceptual, Social and Practical) and an overall Global Adaptive Composite. Each domain and the overall General Adaptive Composite result in a standard score, with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15 (scores between 86 and 114 are considered "Average" on this instrument; scores under 70 are classified as "Extremely Low" relative to same aged peers). Each domain is composed of several subdomains that yield scaled scale scores (Mean=10, SD=3), with scores between 7 and 13 falling in the "Average" range.
Time frame: 10 week study period
Change in Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale
The BADS is a 25-item measure designed to assess how clients become activated over the course of Behavior Activation treatment. There are 25 questions, each rated on a seven point scale ranging from 0 to 6. There are four subscales: AC = Activation subscale \[score range 0 to 42\] AR = Avoidance/Rumination subscale \[score range 0-48\] WS = Work/School Impairment subscale \[score range 0-30\] SI = Social Impairment subscale \[score range 0-30\] Higher scores indicate a better outcome on the Activation subscale. Higher scores indicate a worse outcome on the Avoidance/Rumination subscale, Work/School Impairment subscale, and Social Impairment subscale.
Time frame: 10 week study period; 4 week post-treatment
Change in Idiographic target goals
Clients are asked to identify 3 goals they would like to accomplish. There are no scores or scales. Each goal is a statement shared by the client relevant to their own experiences. Target goals are sensitive to change in treatment contexts.
Time frame: 10 week study period; 4 week post-treatment