scholarly journals KONTAKT© in Australian Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum: Protocol of a Randomized Control Trial

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bahareh Afsharnejad ◽  
Marita Falkmer ◽  
Melissa H Black ◽  
Tasha Alach ◽  
Fabian Lenhard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Active Control ◽  
Randomized Control Trial ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Social Goals ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Active Control Group ◽  
Randomized Control

Abstract Background: Individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience impairing challenges in social communication and interaction across multiple contexts. While social skills group training (SSGT) has shown moderate effects on various sociability outcomes in ASD, there is a need for (i) replication of effects in additional clinical and cultural contexts, (ii) designs which employ active control groups, (iii) calculation of health economic benefits, (iv) identification of the optimal training duration, and (v) measurement of individual goal and quality of life outcomes. Method: With the aim of investigating the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a SSGT, KONTAKT©, a two-armed randomized control trial with adolescents aged 12 to17 years (N=90) with ASD and an intelligence quotient (IQ) of over 70 will be undertaken. Following stratification for centre and gender, participants will be randomly assigned to either KONTAKT© or to an active control group, a group-based cooking program. Participants will attend both programs in groups of 6 to 8 adolescents, over 16 one and a half hour sessions. The primary outcome examined is adolescent self-rated achievement of personally meaningful social goals as assessed via Goal Attainment Scaling during an interview with a blinded clinician. Secondary outcomes include adolescent self-reported interpersonal efficacy, quality of life, social anxiety, and loneliness, face emotion recognition performance and associated gaze behaviour, and parent proxy reports of autistic traits, quality of life, social functioning, emotion recognition and expression. Cost-effectiveness will be investigated in relation to direct and indirect societal and health care costs. Discussion: The primary outcomes of this study will be evidenced in the anticipated achievement of adolescents’ personally meaningful social goals following participation in KONTAKT© as compared to the active control group. This design will enable rigorous evaluation of the efficacy of KONTAKT©, exercising control over the possibly confounding effect of exposure to a social context of peers with a diagnosis of ASD. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12617001117303, registered 31 July 2017, anzctr.org.au; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03294668 registered 22 September 2017, https://clinicaltrials.gov. Keywords: Social Skills, Adolescents, KONTAKT, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Training.

scholarly journals KONTAKT© in Australian Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum: Protocol of a Randomized Control Trial

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bahareh Afsharnejad ◽  
Marita Falkmer ◽  
Melissa H Black ◽  
Tasha Alach ◽  
Fabian Lenhard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Active Control ◽  
Randomized Control Trial ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Social Goals ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Active Control Group ◽  
Randomized Control

Abstract Background: Individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience impairing challenges in social communication and interaction across multiple contexts. While social skills group training (SSGT) has shown moderate effects on various sociability outcomes in ASD, there is a need for (i) replication of effects in additional clinical and cultural contexts, (ii) designs which employ active control groups, (iii) calculation of health economic benefits, (iv) identification of the optimal training duration, and (v) measurement of individual goal and quality of life outcomes. Method/design: With the aim of investigating the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a SSGT, KONTAKT©, a two-armed randomized control trial with adolescents aged 12 to17 years (N=90) with ASD and an intelligence quotient (IQ) of over 70 will be undertaken. Following stratification for centre and gender, participants will be randomly assigned to either KONTAKT© or to an active control group, a group-based cooking program. Participants will attend both programs in groups of 6 to 8 adolescents, over 16 one and a half hour sessions. The primary outcome examined is adolescent self-rated achievement of personally meaningful social goals as assessed via Goal Attainment Scaling during an interview with a blinded clinician. Secondary outcomes include adolescent self-reported interpersonal efficacy, quality of life, social anxiety, and loneliness, face emotion recognition performance and associated gaze behaviour, and parent proxy reports of autistic traits, quality of life, social functioning, emotion recognition and expression. Cost-effectiveness will be investigated in relation to direct and indirect societal and health care costs. Discussion: The primary outcomes of this study will be evidenced in the anticipated achievement of adolescents’ personally meaningful social goals following participation in KONTAKT© as compared to the active control group. This design will enable rigours evaluation of the efficacy of KONTAKT©, exercising control over the possibly confounding effect of exposure to a social context of peers with a diagnosis of ASD.

scholarly journals KONTAKT© for Australian adolescents on the autism spectrum: protocol of a randomized control trial

Trials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bahareh Afsharnejad ◽  
Marita Falkmer ◽  
Melissa H. Black ◽  
Tasha Alach ◽  
Fabian Lenhard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Active Control ◽  
Randomized Control Trial ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Social Goals ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Active Control Group ◽  
Randomized Control

Abstract Background Individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience impairing challenges in social communication and interaction across multiple contexts. While social skills group training (SSGT) has shown moderate effects on various sociability outcomes in ASD, there is a need for (1) replication of effects in additional clinical and cultural contexts, (2) designs that employ active control groups, (3) calculation of health economic benefits, (4) identification of the optimal training duration, and (5) measurement of individual goals and quality of life outcomes. Method/design With the aim of investigating the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a SSGT, KONTAKT©, a two-armed randomized control trial with adolescents aged 12–17 years (N = 90) with ASD and an intelligence quotient (IQ) of over 70 will be undertaken. Following stratification for centre and gender, participants will be randomly assigned to either KONTAKT© or to an active control group, a group-based cooking programme. Participants will attend both programmes in groups of 6–8 adolescents, over 16 one-and-a-half-hour sessions. The primary outcome examined is adolescent self-rated achievement of personally meaningful social goals as assessed via the Goal Attainment Scaling during an interview with a blinded clinician. Secondary outcomes include adolescent self-reported interpersonal efficacy, quality of life, social anxiety, loneliness, face emotion recognition performance and associated gaze behaviour, and parent proxy reports of autistic traits, quality of life, social functioning, and emotion recognition and expression. Cost-effectiveness will be investigated in relation to direct and indirect societal and healthcare costs. Discussion The primary outcomes of this study will be evidenced in the anticipated achievement of adolescents’ personally meaningful social goals following participation in KONTAKT© as compared to the active control group. This design will enable rigorous evaluation of the efficacy of KONTAKT©, exercising control over the possibly confounding effect of exposure to a social context of peers with a diagnosis of ASD. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR). ACTRN12617001117303. Registered on 31 July 2017. anzctr.org.au ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03294668. Registered on 22 September 2017. https://clinicaltrials.gov

scholarly journals Evaluating the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on cognitive function and quality of life in nondemented older adults : a pilot study.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasha Mallya
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Active Control ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Active Control Group

Adults over the age of 65 years are now the fastest growing segment of the Canadian population. Although individual differences exist, aging is commonly associated with impairments in executive function. The present pilot study investigated the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program on improving executive functioning in older adults, while additionally decreasing perceived stress and improving psychological wellbeing. It was hypothesized that compared with an active control group, the MBSR group would display significant improvements in executive functioning, mood, self-esteem, and perceived stress. Participants were randomly assigned to either MBSR (n=40) or an active control group (n=32). Results suggest that MBSR is associated with significantly enhanced quality of life compared with the control condition. No additional significant results were found. A full-scale study will be necessary to clarify the present results.

scholarly journals EFFECTIVENESS OF HIGH AND LOW INTENSITY REHABILITATION PROGRAMME IN CHRONIC PHASE OF GUILLAIN BARRE SYNDROME PATIENTS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROL TRIAL

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gourav Kumar ◽  
Lalit Arora ◽  
Reena Arora
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Randomized Control Trial ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Rehabilitation Programme ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Randomized Control ◽  
Rehabilitation Exercises

Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to conduct a randomized control trial to compare the effectiveness of high and low intensity rehabilitation programme in chronic phase of GBS patient. Methodology: 20 Patients were included in the study as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. A written informed consent was signed by the subjects in their native language. The subjects were divided into two groups by simple random sampling. Group (A) Experimental Group (N=10): got treatment with High intensity rehabilitation exercises and Group (B) Control Group (N=10): got treatment with Low intensity rehabilitation exercises. Total rehabilitation program was for 12 months. The outcome measures for the both groups were Functional Independence Measure (FIM), World health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF), Perceived Impact of Problem Profile (PIPP). Results: Intention to treat analysis of data from 20 patients (experimental n=10, control n=10) showed reduced disability in the treatment group in post-treatment FIM domains (self- care, sphincter control, transfers, locomotion; all p<0.001) and WHOQOL-BREF domains (quality of life; all p<0.001) and PIPP domains (self-care, mobility; all p<0.001). The treatment group compared with control group showed significant improvement in function (FIM scores): 72% vs. 50%. Conclusion: High intensity rehabilitation programme compared with Low intensity low intensity rehabilitation programme is effective in reducing motor disability (mobility, self-care, continence) in chronic phase of GBS patients. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0720/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

scholarly journals Efficacy of Smartphone-based Application on Stress Reduction: a Randomized Control Trial (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyunchan Hwang ◽  
Sun Mi Kim ◽  
Bo Netterstrøm ◽  
Doug Hyun Han
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Randomized Control Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Smartphone Application ◽  
Life Assessment ◽  
World Health ◽  
Control Group ◽  
World Health Organization Quality ◽  
Randomized Control

BACKGROUND Stress management within the workplace is important for a healthy mental and physical state. Due to technological advancements, individual-tailored therapy as well as online cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is on the rise. OBJECTIVE This study analyzed the efficacy of a smartphone application based on third-wave CBT tailored to the individual. METHODS A randomized control trial was conducted on 126 participants who were divided into two groups. The intervention group used the smartphone application “BetterLife” for 10 weeks whilst the control group was put on a waiting list for the same duration. The Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS), Korean Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-9 (UWES), World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment, abbreviated (WHOQOL), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were conducted at baseline and after 10 weeks in both groups. RESULTS Out of the 126 particiapnts, 11 dropped out during the trial. Two-way repeated measure analysis of covariance was conducted controlling for baseline BDI. There were greater improvements in PSS (F=24.33, P <.001, η2=0.17) and UWESK scores (F=8.32, P =.0046, η2=0.06) in the intervention group compared to the control group. WHOQOL scores exhibited statistically significance interactions in the intervention group in the overall quality of life (F=8.19, P =.0049, η2=0.06), and physical health (F= 8.87, P =.003, η2=0.07), psychological (F=13.32, P <.001, η2=0.10), social relationship (F= 19.43, P <.001, η2=0.14), and environmental domains (F= 10.14, P =.002, η2=0.08) but not in overall health (F= 1.68, P =.20). BDI showed a statistically significant improvement in the intervention group (F=7.17, P =.008, η2=0.06) as well as BAI (F=6.00, P =.02, η2=0.05), but this significance did not survive the Bonferroni’s correction (P <.005). CONCLUSIONS These results provide evidence that a smartphone application-based CBT is a viable option for reducing stress in the workplace. CLINICALTRIAL This trial has been registered in the Clinical Research Information Service (KCT0003231), a member of the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform.

Effectiveness of home-based electronic cognitive therapy in patients with Alzheimer’s disease dementia: A Feasibility Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Marin ◽  
Renée DeCaro ◽  
Kylie Schiloski ◽  
Ala’a Elshaar ◽  
Brigid Dwyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Active Control ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Therapy Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Active Control Group ◽  
Computerized Cognitive Training ◽  
Home Based

BACKGROUND Can home-based computerized cognitive training programs be a useful tool to sustain cognition and quality of life in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia? Until now, the progressive nature of the disease and the variability in intervention periods has resulted in discrepant findings. We investigated a potential tool to offset the challenges usually found when evaluating the effectiveness of home-based computerized trainings in the AD population. Constant Therapy is a remotely-delivered, cloud-based program developed for patients with speech and cognitive deficits. OBJECTIVE We aimed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a 24-week individualized Constant Therapy intervention program in patients with AD in the MCI and mild dementia stages. METHODS Data were collected over a 48-week period. Participants were assigned to either the Constant Therapy or Active Control group. The Constant Therapy group completed an individualized tablet-based training during the first 24 weeks; the second 24 weeks of computerized training were optional. The Active Control group completed paper and pencil games (e.g., sudokus, crosswords) during the first 24 weeks, and then completed the Constant Therapy training during the second 24 weeks. At weeks 0, 24 and 48, participants completed a neuropsychological battery to assess changes in cognition and functioning. In addition, the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) was administered every 6 weeks. We measured Constant Therapy rate of adherence and task performance, as well as RBANS scores differences between the Constant Therapy and Active Control groups over the first 24 weeks of training. RESULTS Data for 19 patients were analyzed, with 44% of the Constant Therapy group and 22% of the Active Control group completing the entire 48-week training program. Due to the high drop-out rate, further analysis was only computed for participants who completed 24 weeks of training. The Constant Therapy group spent on average 121 days across the 24 weeks, and an average 27 minutes daily on the app. These participants showed an overall improvement in accuracy and latency in the Constant Therapy tasks scores, as well as specific improvements in the Constant Therapy tasks of visual and auditory memory, attention, and arithmetic. The Constant Therapy group also improved in the RBANS coding subtest compared to the Active Control group. CONCLUSIONS Long term (e.g., 24 weeks) computerized cognitive training using the Constant Therapy platform is feasible in patients with AD in the MCI and mild dementia stages. AD patients showed improvements on the Constant Therapy tasks over the 24 weeks and improved in one of the 12 RBANS subtests. These findings support the need for future research investigating the effects of long term individualized computerized programs as tools to sustain cognitive function and potentially quality of life in patients with AD. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02521558

scholarly journals PedsQL-4.0 in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL2) ◽  
pp. 171-174
Author(s):  
Lal D V ◽  
Sowmi Sri ◽  
Ambikapathy ◽  
Benjamin S
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Dsm 5 ◽  
Children With Asd

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neuro developmental disorder in DSM-5, characterized by social deficits and communication difficulties, stereotyped or repetitive behaviours and interests, sensory issues, and in some cases, cognitive delays. Prevalence of ASD is ever increasing recently throughout the world. There aren’t enough studies which have considered the qualities of life (QoL) of Autistic children through there are many comparing the QoL of parents of children with ASD. Hence there is need for more research on the quality of life of autistic children. The diagnostic criteria for ASD are available in the revised text edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) of the American Psychiatric Association. This study assesses the Paediatric Quality of Life (PQOL) of ASD children, from a multidimensional perspective based on the Cross-sectional survey which considered Physiological function, emotional function, social function and school performance. This study aimed to evaluate the QoL of children with ASD aged 2–12 years. 98 autistic children (male: 69, female: 29; 2- 4 years old: 40, 5- 7 year old: 43, 8 - 12 years old: 15) and 100 normal children (control group) are brought into this study. The children satisfying the DSM-5 as ASD were subjected to assessment of their QoL with Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL)  questionnaire by their parents, compared with standard scores. Present study shows lower scores in the test group on the PedsQL4.0 universality Core scale in comparison with the control group. Behaviour issues had a negative effect on Community adaptation, mental health, a lower intelligence-related quality of life for children and clinically significant autistic symptoms in comparison with children with fewer symptoms. Results suggest greater impairment in adaptive functioning and emotional disorders. For mild-moderate ASD children, better development probably played a significant role in response to rehabilitation, to achieve and maintain the best level of overall outcome. The severity of the disorder and coping strategies in social settings were related to self-care ability and adaptation and intelligence. Hence pediatricians are must evaluate these children for early interventions and medications, if needed, and have QoL integrated in the overall care plan.

scholarly journals Evaluating the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on cognitive function and quality of life in nondemented older adults : a pilot study.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasha Mallya
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Active Control ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Active Control Group

Adults over the age of 65 years are now the fastest growing segment of the Canadian population. Although individual differences exist, aging is commonly associated with impairments in executive function. The present pilot study investigated the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program on improving executive functioning in older adults, while additionally decreasing perceived stress and improving psychological wellbeing. It was hypothesized that compared with an active control group, the MBSR group would display significant improvements in executive functioning, mood, self-esteem, and perceived stress. Participants were randomly assigned to either MBSR (n=40) or an active control group (n=32). Results suggest that MBSR is associated with significantly enhanced quality of life compared with the control condition. No additional significant results were found. A full-scale study will be necessary to clarify the present results.

Development and Validation of a Questionnaire to Assess Parent Reported Quality of Life Pre and Post Vision Therapy in a Population with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2019 ◽  
pp. 195-207
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Behavior ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Visual Behavior ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Vision Therapy

Background: Autism spectrum disorder is characterized in part by atypical behavior in the communication, social, and visual domains. Success in vision therapy is judged not only by changes in optometric findings, but through improvement in quality of life involving communication, social behavior and visual behavior. It would therefore be beneficial to have a validated questionnaire to assess parent reported quality of life pre and post vision therapy specific to patients with autism spectrum disorder. To our knowledge, a questionnaire of this nature has not been previously published in the literature. Methods: Questionnaire items were generated through surveying medical literature based on symptoms in three different categories: visual behavior, social behavior and communication. A pool of 34 questions was developed initially and then with thorough discussion with other experts, a 20-point questionnaire was developed with each item reflected in the construct concept. A draft of 20 questions was then sent to 10 subject experts with clinical experience in the field for more than 20 years, to review the pooled items. Validity and reliability was established prior to assessing the psychometric properties of the ASD/QOL-VT. Prospective observational study was conducted for a duration of 18 months. The study included individuals undergoing vision therapy in the age range of 3 to 15 years who had been diagnosed with ASD. The questionnaire was administered to parents of these children prior to the start of vision therapy. All subjects completed a minimum of 60 vision therapy sessions. The questionnaire was readministered after completing 60 sessions of vision therapy. Results: Cronbach’s alpha value for this questionnaire was 0.93, which reflected very good internal consistency. Factorial analysis yielded four factors with an Eigen value exceeding 1.0 which accounted for 68% variation in the model. The Cronbach alpha value for subscales identified by factorial analysis is 0.97 indicating excellent internal reliability. The mean pre vision therapy social behavior, communication and visual behavior score was 12.0±3.21, 17.07±4.57 and 26.97±6.41 respectively. The mean post vision therapy scores for social behavior, communication and visual behavior was 8.27±4.16, 11.33±5.27 and 17.93±6.52 respectively. On paired t test, the mean difference in score was statistically significant with P<0.001 in all three subcategories. Conclusions: Our study presents the development of a valid and reliable parent questionnaire, the ASD/QOL-VT, that judges communication, social behavior, and visual behavior in autism. Results of the study conducted indicate that vision therapy can result in significant improvements in the quality of life of patients with ASD as judged by their parents. This is evidenced by statistically significant changes in psychometric properties of the ASD/QOL-VT in social behavior, communication and visual behavior.

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