Unique effects ofThe transportersanimated series and of parental support on emotion recognition skills of children with ASD: Results of a randomized controlled trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 993-1003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tali Gev ◽  
Ruthie Rosenan ◽  
Ofer Golan
Author(s):  
Iris van den Berk-Smeekens ◽  
Manon W. P. de Korte ◽  
Martine van Dongen-Boomsma ◽  
Iris J. Oosterling ◽  
Jenny C. den Boer ◽  
...  

AbstractPivotal response treatment (PRT) is a promising intervention focused on improving social communication skills in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Since robots potentially appeal to children with ASD and may contribute to their motivation for social interaction, this exploratory randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted comparing PRT (PRT and robot-assisted PRT) with treatment-as-usual (TAU). Seventy-three children (PRT: n = 25; PRT + robot: n = 25; TAU: n = 23) with ASD, aged 3–8 years were assessed at baseline, after 10 and 20 weeks of intervention, and at 3-month follow-up. There were no significant group differences on parent- and teacher-rated general social-communicative skills and blindly rated global functioning directly after treatment. However, at follow-up largest gains were observed in robot-assisted PRT compared to other groups. These results suggest that robot-assistance may contribute to intervention efficacy for children with ASD when using game scenarios for robot-child interaction during multiple sessions combined with motivational components of PRT. This trial is registered at https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/4487; NL4487/NTR4712 (2014-08-01).


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 667-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa V. Ibañez ◽  
Kenneth Kobak ◽  
Amy Swanson ◽  
Lisa Wallace ◽  
Zachary Warren ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Nobuyo Kubo ◽  
Megumi Kitagawa ◽  
Sayaka Iwamoto ◽  
Toshifumi Kishimoto

Abstract Background Caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often experience difficulties in responding appropriately to the needs of those children, who typically express attachment in distinct and nonconventional ways. This highlights the need for an attachment-based approach targeted at caregivers of children with ASD. Circle of Security Parenting (COSP), an attachment-based parenting program, is designed to increase caregivers’ sensitivity to children’s attachment needs. The aim of this study was to provide verification of the effectiveness of COSP in mothers of children with ASD. Methods This study was a non-randomized controlled trial. Sixty mothers of children with ASD aged 4–12 were recruited. Twenty mothers received the COSP intervention, while 40 did not. The characteristics of children in the control group were matched with those of the intervention group. To evaluate the outcomes of the intervention, changes in parental self-efficacy and mental health were assessed using the Tool to Measure Parenting Self-Efficacy (TOPSE) and the General Health Questionnaire-30 (GHQ-30). The children’s improvement in emotional and behavioral problems was assessed from the mothers’ perspective using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Both groups completed the assessments in parallel. Evaluations were compared between baseline (T1) and 6-month follow-up (T2). Results Scores for self-efficacy and mental health of mothers and behavior of children were significantly improved from T1 to T2 in the intervention group, but not in the control group. Participants’ mental health was markedly worsened in the control group. Conclusion This study demonstrated that the COSP program for mothers of children with ASD improved their parental self-efficacy and mental health, and reduced their subjective sense of difficulties related to their children’s behaviors. Our findings support the effectiveness of the attachment-based program for mothers of children with ASD, providing the groundwork for further studies of the attachment-based intervention for children with ASD and their families. Future studies with larger samples and randomization are also needed for direct evaluation of the improvement of children's attachment security, and for exploration of the synergistic relationship between various family support strategies and COSP. Trial Registration This trial was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry (No. UMIN000039574)


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yen Na Yum ◽  
Way Kwok-Wai Lau ◽  
Kean Poon ◽  
Fuk Chuen Ho

Abstract Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental impairment characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interactions, and over half of children with ASD possess below average intellectual ability (IQ < 85). The social development and response to social skill interventions among children with ASD and comorbid intellectual disability (ID) is not well understood. Music therapy is a systematic process of intervention, wherein a therapist may help clients promote their social skills by using musical experience. The proposed study will address limited research evidence on music therapy as an intervention for social functioning in children with ASD with mild to borderline ID. Method A randomized controlled trial (RCT) with two parallel groups of 40 children each (1:1 allocation ratio) is planned. Participants will receive 45 min of music therapy or non-musical intervention targeting social skills once a week for 12 weeks. Primary outcome measures will be independent ratings on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale and parent ratings on the Social Responsiveness Scale-2. Linear mixed-effects models for these two outcome measures will be created for data collected at 2-week pre-intervention, 2-week post-intervention, and 4-month post-intervention sessions. In-session behaviors at the first and last intervention will be videotaped and coded offline and compared. Pretreatment neural response of quantitative electroencephalograms (qEEG) to social scenes will be used to predict the outcomes of musical and non-musical social skill interventions, whereas qEEG responses to music will be used to predict the effectiveness of musical social skill intervention. Discussion If neural markers of social skill development are found, then the long-term goal is to develop individualized intervention based on pre-treatment markers to maximize treatment efficacy. The proposed study’s results may also suggest directions to development and provision of music therapy services in Hong Kong. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04557488). Registered September 21, 2020.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Nguyen ◽  
Evdokia Anagnostou ◽  
Jessica A Brian ◽  
Azadeh Kushki

Abstract Anxiety is prevalent in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and can negatively impact physical and mental health. Self-awareness of anxiety signs is a key barrier to success of anxiety interventions for many children. To address this, we conducted a randomized controlled trial to assess if the Anxiety Meter, a wearable, real-time anxiety detection technology can improve awareness of anxiety symptoms and the initiation of relaxation techniques in children with ASD. Twenty-eight children with ASD were trained on the use of the Anxiety Meter and taught a diaphragmatic breathing relaxation technique over three visits. On the fourth visit, participants were randomized to either receive feedback of their anxiety level or no feedback from the Anxiety Meter while completing a stress-eliciting task (public speaking) and asked to engage in deep breathing if anxious. Feedback from the Anxiety Meter was associated with increased likelihood of initiating deep breathing in response to anxiety. Although these results are limited by the relatively small sample size, they support the feasibility of using a wearable device and real-time feedback to improve anxiety symptom awareness.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02160691. Registered 5 June 2014, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02160691


2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 2115-2127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus L. Thomeer ◽  
Rachael A. Smith ◽  
Christopher Lopata ◽  
Martin A. Volker ◽  
Alanna M. Lipinski ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 400-410
Author(s):  
Niki C. Kuin ◽  
Erik D. M. Masthoff ◽  
Vibeke N. Nunnink ◽  
Marcus R. Munafò ◽  
Ian S. Penton-Voak

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Nguyen ◽  
Robyn E. Cardy ◽  
Evdokia Anagnostou ◽  
Jessica Brian ◽  
Azadeh Kushki

Abstract Background Anxiety is prevalent in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and can negatively impact physical and mental health. Self-awareness of anxiety signs is a key barrier to success of anxiety interventions for many children. Methods To address this, we conducted a randomized controlled trial to assess whether the Anxiety Meter, a wearable, real-time anxiety detection technology, can improve awareness of anxiety symptoms and the initiation of relaxation techniques in children with ASD. Twenty-eight children with ASD were trained on the use of the Anxiety Meter and taught a diaphragmatic breathing relaxation technique over three visits. On the fourth visit, participants were randomized to either receive feedback of their anxiety level or no feedback from the Anxiety Meter while completing a stress-eliciting task (public speaking) and asked to engage in deep breathing if anxious. Results Feedback from the Anxiety Meter was associated with increased likelihood of initiating deep breathing in response to anxiety. Limitations Limitations include the small sample size, imbalanced group matching for IQ and sex, and the controlled-laboratory settings which limit the statistical power and generalizability of the results to real-world settings. Conclusions Although these results are limited by the relatively small sample size, they support the feasibility of using a wearable device and real-time feedback to improve anxiety symptom awareness. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02160691, registration date: 06/05/2014.


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