Applied Behavior Analysis With Technologies

NCT06310317 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: CNR-IRIB-PRO-2024-003
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapeutic approach for autism that is based on the principles of behavioral theory, learning, and positive reinforcement. Current research shows that early and intensive ABA intervention is effective in reducing dysfunctional behaviors and promoting learning and enactment of socially appropriate behaviors. In this context, new approaches that attempt to integrate advanced technologies can play a key role. This experimental protocol aims to test whether the use of advanced technologies, such as tablets, as part of an intervention for a group of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is more effective than the traditional approach implemented in a control group of children with ASD. The experimental protocol is aimed at enhancing cognitive skills, increasing new skills and acquiring functional/adaptive behaviors.

Conditions

Autism; Autism Spectrum Disorder

Keywords

Autism; autism spectrum disorder; children; Applied Behavior Analysis; ABA

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP)

  Is an assessment tool that attends to all those skills that are fundamental to the development and enhancement of verbal communication skills and the proper use of language in social interactions. It focuses especially on the assessment of language prerequisites fundamental to the development of verbal behavior in accordance with the classification of verbal operants proposed by Skinner: mand, tact, echoic, intraverbal. It consists of a manual, a protocol and a set of materials (pictures and standardized items for assessment). The protocol is divided into: * Tables * Early Echoic Skills Assessment (EESA) - Assessment of barriers: behaviors that might hinder the child's learning * Assessment of transitions: the child's ability to make the transition to teaching modes based on the natural context * Task Analysis and Skills Monitoring: describes the individual milestones required to reach the main milestone * Scoring grids

  the test need approximately 1 hour

Study Arms (2)

experimental group

EXPERIMENTAL

15 children belonging to the experimental group will undergo the treatment carries out the procedure by means of stimuli presented with technologies supports

Behavioral: Applied Behavior Analysis protocol

control group

OTHER

15 children belonging to the control group will undergo the treatment by performing the procedure with images printed on laminated A4 sheets.

Behavioral: Traditional intervention

Interventions

Applied Behavior Analysis protocol BEHAVIORAL

The main objective of the experimental protocol is to promote the development of cognitive skills, facilitate the acquisition of new skills and promote the adoption of functional and adaptive behaviors. The use of Applied Behavior Analysis procedures, with the help of technological tools such as a tablet or robot can facilitate the increase of new knowledge and skills. The criterion is acquired if the subject emits 8 out of 10 independent correct responses (90%) for 3 consecutive sessions. The objective is to test whether the technological tool used (tablet or robot) can make the proposed learning procedure more effective. The experimental group carries out the procedure by means of stimuli presented on tablets or robots.

experimental group

Traditional intervention BEHAVIORAL

The main objective of the experimental protocol is to promote the development of cognitive skills, facilitate the acquisition of new skills and promote the adoption of functional and adaptive behaviors. In this group the materials are traditional, such as image printed. The criterion is acquired if the subject emits 9 out of 10 independent correct responses (90%) for 3 consecutive sessions. The control group performs the procedure with images printed on A4 laminated sheets.

control group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 5 Years - 12 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Children with diagnosis of autism

You may not qualify if:

• presence of other medical disorders

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica: lead

Study Sites (1)

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

Messina, 98164, Italy

RECRUITING

Related Publications (3)

• Choi KR, Bhakta B, Knight EA, Becerra-Culqui TA, Gahre TL, Zima B, Coleman KJ. Patient Outcomes After Applied Behavior Analysis for Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2022 Jan 1;43(1):9-16. doi: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000000995.

  PMID: 34342287 BACKGROUND

• Yu Q, Li E, Li L, Liang W. Efficacy of Interventions Based on Applied Behavior Analysis for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis. Psychiatry Investig. 2020 May;17(5):432-443. doi: 10.30773/pi.2019.0229. Epub 2020 May 8.

  PMID: 32375461 BACKGROUND

• Valencia K, Rusu C, Quinones D, Jamet E. The Impact of Technology on People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Literature Review. Sensors (Basel). 2019 Oct 16;19(20):4485. doi: 10.3390/s19204485.

  PMID: 31623200 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

Flavia Marino

CONTACT

+393395798263; flavia.marino@irib.cnr.it

Maria Valeria Maiorana

CONTACT

+393285856656; mvaleriamaiorana@gmail.com

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: March 7, 2024
• First Posted: March 15, 2024
• Study Start: September 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: January 31, 2025
• Study Completion: January 31, 2025
• Last Updated: March 15, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

IT (1)