Awareness Training in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

NCT06278168 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: CNR-IRIB-PRO-2024-002
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The proposed protocol aims to facilitate awareness and understanding of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 to 14 with an IQ between 85 and 115. Conducted once a week for 60 minutes, the protocol encompasses two initial group sessions followed by 5 group meetings, introducing activities to foster self-awareness, cognitive understanding, and an inclusive environment. Subsequently, the protocol advances to 12 individual sessions focused on emotional well-being and self-awareness, integrating Oculus technology and chest sensors for heart rate monitoring. Initiating the intervention, individual family meetings are scheduled to outline intervention goals and phases. The initial group sessions focus on social bonding, cognitive understanding, and creating an accepting atmosphere among participants. Utilizing activities addressing neurodiversity awareness and technological tools like tablets, the sessions encourage discussions on individual differences and sensitivities. The subsequent individual sessions are structured to explore personal values, identify inner critical voices, and develop emotional awareness through exercises exploring emotions and physical sensations. Progressively, the intervention introduces mindfulness, guiding participants to acknowledge emotions as normal and encouraging alignment of daily actions with personal values. Following this, sessions center on building observational skills, recognizing past behaviors, and fostering strengths tied to values. Participants are encouraged to distinguish between their critical "consultant" and the value-driven "explorer," fostering personal growth and reflection. The protocol's later stages delve into identifying personal strengths linked to core values and exploring value-driven goals. Visual exercises, metaphors, and flexible self-views are emphasized, promoting adaptability and self-evolution. The protocol concludes by advocating a flexible self-view, embracing change, and connecting oneself to ever-evolving metaphors like "a cup with changing contents" or "the ever-changing sky." These sessions culminate with visual relaxation facilitated through Oculus technology while simultaneously monitoring participants' heart rates using chest sensors. This comprehensive approach integrates technological tools with emotional and cognitive exercises, providing a multifaceted framework to enhance self-awareness and promote acceptance within the context of neurodiversity.

Conditions

Autism; Autism Spectrum Disorder

Keywords

autism; children; ASD; awareness

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Fourth edition (WISC-IV)

  Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Fourth edition (WISC-IV) is a clinical tool for assessing the cognitive abilities of children and young people between the ages of 6 years and 16 years and 11 months. The WISC-IV scales are as follows: index of verbal comprehension (ICV), range weighted scores (min 46 - max154); index visuoperceptual reasoning (IRP), range weighted scores (min 41- max 159); index working memory (IML) range weighted scores (min 46 - max 154); processing speed index (IVE) range weighted scores (min 47 - max 153); intelligence quotient IQ (min 40 - max 160). For each sub-scale higher score corresponds to better performance.

  The test needs approximately 65-80 minutes to complete.

• Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children-Second Edition (MASC 2)

  MASC 2 is an assessment tool for anxiety-related symptoms consisting of a self-report questionnaire and rating scales for parents. it consists of 50 items.

  The test needs approximately 15 minutes

• Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED)

  The SCARED - Screen for child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders questionnaire is considered one of the best tools for measuring childhood anxiety. The SCARED is a child and parent self-report instrument used to screen for childhood anxiety disorders including general anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social phobia. Also, evaluate symptoms related to school phobias.

  The estimated time for administration of this sub-test is about 10-15 minutes.

Study Arms (2)

Experimental awareness group

EXPERIMENTAL

Twenty children in the experimental group will undergo individual training in which they will watch relaxation videos with the Oculus device. The group sessions will be the same for both groups.

Other: Awareness training with using Oculus.

Traditional awareness group

OTHER

Twenty children in the control group will undergo individual training without using Oculus device. The group sessions will be the same for both groups.

Other: Awareness training without using Oculus

Interventions

Awareness training with using Oculus. OTHER

The protocol consists of 2 phases:one conducted in groups,one individually. In the first session, through interactive activities such as passing a wool ball while sharing passions and interests, and filling out personal cards, participants get to know each other and develop an atmosphere of mutual acceptance. In the second session,participants explore neurodiversity through viewing videos, guided discussions and creating symbols representative of the group concept. Optical illusions are explored to understand differences in individual perception.In addition, issues of hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity are addressed,encouraging participants to reflect on their special interests and ways of presenting themselves. The second phase consists of 12 individual meetings to promote emotional well-being and self-awareness. During the meetings, the Oculus device will be used in which relaxation videos will be shown. In addition, heart rate will be detected with sensors placed in the chest.

Experimental awareness group

Awareness training without using Oculus OTHER

The control group will carry out the same steps as the experimental group, heart rate will be taken through the use of sensors but in this case the Oculus device will not be used to watch relaxation videos.

Traditional awareness group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 8 Years - 14 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• \<IQ\<115

You may not qualify if:

• presence of other medical disorders

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica: lead
• Messina, Italy: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB) - National Research Council (CNR)

Messina, 98164, Italy

RECRUITING

Related Publications (2)

• de Bruin EI, Blom R, Smit FM, van Steensel FJ, Bogels SM. MYmind: Mindfulness training for Youngsters with autism spectrum disorders and their parents. Autism. 2015 Nov;19(8):906-14. doi: 10.1177/1362361314553279. Epub 2014 Oct 27.

  PMID: 25348866 BACKGROUND

• Louise L.Hayes, Joseph Ciarrochi (2015). Adolescenti in crescita. L'ACT per aiutare i giovani a gestire le emozioni, raggiungere obiettivi, costruire relazioni sociali. Franco Angeli

  BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autistic Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Flavia Marino

  Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB) - National Research Council (CNR)

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Germana Doria

CONTACT

+393465142289; germana.doria@irib.cnr.it

Maria Valeria Maiorana

CONTACT

+393285856656; mariavaleria.maiorana@irib.cnr.it

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Head of unit

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 19, 2024
• First Posted: February 26, 2024
• Study Start: June 12, 2023
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2024
• Study Completion: May 8, 2025
• Last Updated: February 26, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

IT (1)