An Online Evaluation of Work Chat

NCT05949086 | Completed DMC

• 2 other identifiers: HUM00228606R44MH123359-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 234
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study is aiming to see if it is feasible for the intervention Work Chat to be delivered in a completely online setting to adults with autism spectrum disorder.

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Change in Theory of Mind - Hinting Task

  Measured by the hinting task (Corcoran, Mercer, \& Frith, 1995), which comprises 10 short stories describing an interaction between two characters, all of which end with one of the characters making a hint. At the end of each passage, the participant is asked what the hint meant. If they give a correct response (score 2), they move onto the next item. If they fail, they are provided with extra information to help interpret the hint. A correct recognition of the hint at this stage scores 1. Total score can be 0-20, with a higher score being a better outcome.

  Baseline and posttest (approximately 6 weeks after baseline)

• Change in Emotion Recognition Ability - MiniPONs

  Measured by the MiniPONS, which is a short, multichannel version of the established Profile of Nonverbal Sensitivity (PONS) test (Rosenthal et al., 1979). The short multichannel version (64 items) available here correlates very highly with the full version and shows reasonable construct validity through significant correlations with other tests of emotion recognition ability. A total score is calculated at the end, total score can be 0-64, with a higher score being a better outcome.

  Baseline and posttest (approximately 6 weeks after baseline)

• Greater sustained employment by 9 Months

  Self-report employment surveys completed at baseline and follow ups. Employment will be tracked as 0 (no job) and 1 (job). Higher scores indicate a better outcome.

  9 Month Follow Up (approximately 9 Months after randomization)

• Change in Managing Emotions

  The Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) is an ability-based test designed to measure the four branches of the EI model of Mayer and Salovey. This study will only use the Managing Emotions Subscale, which measures the ability to be be open to emotions and feelings and integrate emotions with thinking. There are 29 scenarios presented, with higher score ranges indicating a positive outcome and lower score ranges indicating a worse outcome. The score ranges are as follows: Improve (worse), Consider Developing, Competent, Skilled, and Expert (positive).

  Baseline and posttest (approximately 6 weeks after baseline)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Anxiety

  Baseline and posttest (approximately 6 weeks after baseline)

Other Outcomes (3)

• Change in Social Competence/Applied Social Ability

  Baseline and posttest (approximately 6 weeks after baseline)

• Change in Interpersonal Communication at Work

  Baseline and posttest (approximately 6 weeks after baseline) and 3-month, 6-month, 9-month follow up after randomization.

• Change in Job Satisfaction

  Baseline and posttest (approximately 6 weeks after baseline) and 3-month, 6-month, 9-month follow up after randomization.

Study Arms (2)

Work Chat Later

NO INTERVENTION

This group will not receive Work Chat during the study, but will receive Work Chat access after data collection is complete.

Work Chat Now

EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral: Work Chat: An Interactive Virtual Workday Work Chat will be a simulation training using virtual characters to role-play conversations. It will contain conversations with a coworker, a customer, and a supervisor within a workplace setting.

Behavioral: Work Chat

Interventions

Work Chat BEHAVIORAL

Work Chat will be a simulation training using virtual characters to role-play conversations. It will contain conversations with a coworker, a customer, and a supervisor within a workplace setting.

Work Chat Now

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• years or older
• Has 4th grade or higher reading level
• Employed or Unemployed and searching for employment within the next 3 months
• Has access to a computer, laptop, or tablet that has connection to the internet and a camera (not including smartphone)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Michigan: lead
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): collaborator
• SIMmersion, LLC: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Matthew J Smith, PhD

  University of Michigan

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 7, 2023
• First Posted: July 17, 2023
• Study Start: July 7, 2023
• Primary Completion: July 25, 2025
• Study Completion: July 25, 2025
• Last Updated: December 8, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)