The goal of this study is to assess whether a new psychological treatment can lead to changes in sensory experiences in autistic young people. Participants will complete a group intervention designed to help manage sensory difficulties and associated anxiety. Participants will also complete tasks before and after the intervention to assess whether the treatment can lead to changes in brain and behavioural responses to sensory experiences. The main questions the study aims to answer are: 1. Does the intervention improve sensory difficulties and associated anxiety in autistic young people? 2. Does the intervention change brain and biological responses to sensory experiences in autistic young people? Researchers will also collect feedback from participants to help improve the design and delivery of the treatment in future studies.
The purpose of this study is to pilot a group-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention focused on managing sensory differences associated with autism. Another aim of this study is to test whether the intervention can modulate perceptual and neurophysiological markers (e.g. via electrocephalogram \[EEG\], heart rate and skin conductance) of sensory processing in autistic children and adolescents. A final aim will be to collect qualitative feedback from autistic young people with the aim of refining and improving the intervention for larger studies in the future. The main aims of the study are: 1. To assess the feasibility of a novel CBT intervention for the management of sensory difficulties and associated anxiety in autistic youth. 2. To gather proof-of-concept data that the intervention can be used to modulate sensory neurophysiological and perceptual markers. 3. To gather qualitative feedback and PPIE to inform refinements on the design and delivery of the intervention for further studies.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
34
Participants will complete 8 group sessions of a CBT-based intervention designed to help self-regulate sensory difficulties in autistic young people
King's College London
London, United Kingdom
RECRUITINGAcceptability
As this is a feasibility study, the primary outcome of interest is the acceptability of the intervention which will be assessed via drop-out rate and qualitative feedback
Time frame: Acceptability of the intervention will be assessed through study completion, an average of 1 year
Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP)
The Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) is a 60-item self-report questionnaire on sensory preferences and responses to sensory experiences. The AASP yields 4 subscale scores for sensory avoiding, sensitivity, seeking, and low registration. Raw total scores can range 60-300, with higher scores indicating greater sensory difficulties.
Time frame: Data collected on 2 visit days for each participant, before and after the intervention, about 12 weeks apart
Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS)
The Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) is a 47-item youth self-report measure for anxiety and depression. Raw total scores can range 0-141, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety and/or depression. The RCADS can also yield subscales for separation anxiety disorder, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and low mood (major depressive disorder).
Time frame: Data collected on 2 visit days for each participant, before and after the intervention, about 12 weeks apart
Interoception Sensory Questionnaire (ISQ-8)
The Interoception Sensory Questionnaire short-form (ISQ-8) is an 8-item self-report questionnaire that measures interoceptive challenges (confusion about bodily states) in autistic individuals. Raw total scores can range 8-40 (T-score range 33-78), with higher scores indicating a greater difficulty with registering or interpreting interoceptive sensations.
Time frame: Data collected on 2 visit days for each participant, before and after the intervention, about 12 weeks apart
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