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Autism DisorderAPTNCT02469870

ASD Parent Trainer: Online Coaching for Parents of Children With Autism

A study testing Autism Parent Trainer (APT) in people with Autism Disorder, run by IRIS Media Inc at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The evaluation of the program efficacy will be conducted via a randomized control study with 136 parents of children aged 3-8 who have autism. Investigators will test whether, compared to a content comparison group (CC), administration of the APT program over a 3-week intervention period (a) improves child behaviors… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Autism Disorder
What is being tested?
Autism Parent Trainer (APT)
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
156 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
Aug 2016to 30 Oct 2017
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Parents of children aged 3-8 who have autism

Who cannot join

  • none

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • IRIS Educational Media

    Eugene, Oregon, 97401

Other trials in United States

About this study

The evaluation of the program efficacy will be conducted via a randomized control study with 136 parents of children aged 3-8 who have autism. Investigators will test whether, compared to a content comparison group (CC), administration of the APT program over a 3-week intervention period (a) improves child behaviors, (b) increases perceived quality of life, (c) decreases parental stress, (d) increases positive parenting practices, and (e) increases parent knowledge of evidence-based support practices.

Read the detailed description

Participants. The sample will consist of parents who have at least one child diagnosed with autism (aged 3 to 8) and have access to the Internet. From investigators experience in the Phase I and similar studies, an attrition rate of less than 30% is expected. 180 parents (90 per condition) will ensure that the final sample will be no fewer than 136, with 68 in each condition. Participation will be open to two-parent and single-parent families; only one parent per family will be invited to participate in data collection. No parental age, gender, or race exclusions will apply.

Procedure. All research will be conducted online. IRIS Ed has extensive experience conducting online studies, and has developed successful recruitment, retention, and assessment procedures. Screening, consent, and data collection will be conducted using Qualtrics (see Human Subjects). Google+ Hangouts will be used to conduct the interactive APT training. The CC training materials will be hosted on irisEd.com. Additional training materials will be hosted on YouTube and SoundCloud. Participants will be recruited nationally using approaches and resources that have yielded results in past online interventions.

The APT study will adhere to the following procedures: potential participants will be directed to the recruitment website on Qualtrics and will be screened for eligibility on the following inclusion criteria: (a) have a child aged 3-8 diagnosed with autism and living with the parent, (b) have access to email and an Internet connection, and (c) have access to a computer or other mobile device with a camera and a microphone. Eligible participants will be given a brief explanation of the study and participation requirements, and will be asked to complete an online informed consent (see Human Subjects). Participants will then complete the pretest measures (see Table 3). Upon pretest completion, parents will be randomly assigned to either the APT intervention condition or a content comparison (CC) group.

Content Comparison (CC). Parents assigned to the CC will be given access to a self-paced online training program covering the same content as APT. The CC group will receive an online program that delivers antecedent-behavior-consequence (ABC) multimedia instruction that is targeted to parents. For this purpose, investigators and the curriculum designer will adapt a program developed by IRIS entitled Teaching Routines to Children Who Have ASD, A Parent's Guide to the ABC Method. The ABC Method demonstrated in a pre-posttest design that web-based instruction in applied behavioral analytical (ABA) strategies, such as ABC, was effective in helping parents teach children basic self-help skills, and allowed parents to apply this method to a range of skills. The original ABC Method program consisted of nine multimedia lessons (modeling videos, animated sequences, interactive exercises, downloadable summaries) designed to help parents understand and use the antecedent-behavior-consequence concept derived from ABA. Each lesson contained a 3 to 5 minute video that uses simple language, realistic live action, and animation to illustrate a concept and to model how parents can apply the concept as they teach a routine. Each lesson also contained an interactive exercise and printed summary to guide parents through the steps of creating a teaching plan tailored to the needs of their children.

To ensure that the CC group receives a dosage equivalent to that of the APT Intervention group, the original program will be reformatted so that it is delivered in 3 rather than 9 lessons. This will require re-editing the original materials, creating new introductions to the three lessons, and making corresponding changes in how the program is delivered by our online Learning Management System. Investigators will also ensure that the reformatted program possesses equivalent validity with the original program. Investigators and the development team will achieve this by enlisting a small test group of parents in an iterative process of review and refinement as the program is reformatted. Parents in the CC will have 3 weeks in which to access the program. Web metrics will allow investigators to track adherence to program fidelity.

Treatment. Parents in the APT group will be presented with the dates and times of available training groups and asked to select their preference. They will then receive an access code for logging on to the APT web hub to view the training materials. Participants will also be given access to the videoconferencing workshops, and will test to ensure they can access the site and that their camera and microphone are operating. IRIS Ed technical staff will be available to assist with any difficulties. Each week, for three weeks participants in the APT condition will meet with their training group and the APT Parent Educator for 120 minutes of instruction, discussion, and problem solving. They will also complete assigned homework, including watching online video trainings.

Conditions
Autism Disorder
Being tested
Autism Parent Trainer (APT), Teaching Routines (Control)
Keywords
Parents of children who have autism, video-conferencing, Applied Behavior Analysis, Acceptance Commitment Training, optimism training, Positive Behavior Support
Medical subject headings
Autistic Disorder

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Autism Parent Trainer (APT)Behavioural

    Experimental condition

  • Teaching Routines (Control)Behavioural

    Content comparison group.

Study groups in NCT02469870
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Autism Parent Trainer (APT)ExperimentalPracticed Routines was a facilitated program. It was organized into four modules that included a total of seven videos ranging from 3-13 minutes each. The topics overlapped with those in the TR program, but included more explicit information on function-based strategies, as well as mindfulness practice. Participants were assigned six fillable forms, and provided supplemental data collection tools. Additional resources focused on mindfulness and PBS within family routines. Eighteen brief guided audio meditations were available to participants via the Practiced MindTM mobile application. The meditations focused on bringing the parents' awareness to both internal and external experiences and helping them act intentionally.
Receives: Behavioral: Autism Parent Trainer (APT)
Teaching Routines (ControlActive comparatorTeaching Routines was entirely self-directed. The program included eight modules with videos for each ranging 3 - 5 minutes in duration. The topics were antecedent-behavior-consequence method, creating task analyses, antecedent-based strategies, communication, reinforcement, teaching methods, and overcoming obstacles. Participants were assigned six activities using fillable forms and provided additional resources including examples, a glossary of terms, and a list of websites. No feedback was given to the parents apart from the automated completion responses. The participants were given access to the TR LMS for the duration of the study, but post and follow-up assessments were completed at 6 and 10 weeks (i.e., same as the PR condition).
Receives: Behavioral: Teaching Routines (Control)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Child Behavior Measured by Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (Goodman, 1997)

    Examining change over time points (T2-T1) This 25-item parent-report version of a behavioral screening questionnaire has been used with children aged 3 to 16 years of age. It assesses both positive and negative behaviors in the following domains: conduct problems, inattention-hyperactivity, emotional symptoms, peer problems, and pro-social behavior. The SDQ-P has demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties and is available in Spanish (Goodman, 2001).Total range of scores is from 0 to 50. The prosocial items are reverse scored for the total scale so that on the total scale higher scores indicate worse behaviors.

    Measured: Pre (0 weeks), Post (3 weeks)

  2. Family Quality of Life as Measured by Family Quality of Life Survey (Summers et al., 2005)

    Examining change over time points (T2-T1) Quality of Life was measured using the Family Quality of Life survey (FQOL; Summers et al., 2005), which is a 25-item measure of the quality of life for a family raising a child with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The outcomes measured are: quality of life in the domains of parenting, emotional well-being, physical/material well-being, and disability-related supports using a 5-point scale with responses ranging from (1) very dissatisfied to (5) very satisfied. The average score on the total scale was used in the analysis. The range is from 1 to 5 with higher scores indicating more positive outcomes.

    Measured: Pre (0 weeks), Post (3 weeks)

  3. Parenting Scale (Arnold, O'Leary, Wolff, & Aker, 1993)

    Examining change over time points (T2-T1) Parenting Practices will be assessed using the Parenting Scale (PS; Arnold, O'Leary, Wolff, \& Aker, 1993) a 30-item, 7 point Likert-like scale with three subscales (laxness, over-reactivity, and hostility). The scale has internal consistency for the total scale and subscales (α = .78 and - .83 respectively) and has been evaluated for factor structure and validity (Rhoades \& O'Leary, 2007). The average score on the total scale was used in the analysis with a range of 1 to 7 with lower scores indicating more positive outcomes.

    Measured: Pre (0 weeks), Post (3 weeks),

  4. Scales of Independent Behavior-Revised (SIB-R; Bruininks, Woodcock, Weatherman, & Hill, 1996)

    Examining change over time points (T2-T1)

    The SBI-R is a 40-item, 7-point scale that measures 14 areas of adaptive behaviors and 8 areas of maladaptive behaviors.

    We used the total adaptive scale with a total range of 0 to 120 with higher scores indicating better outcomes.

    Measured: Pre (0 weeks), Post (3 weeks)

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Knowledge About Applied Behavior Analysis and Acceptance Commitment Training Measured by Questionnaire

    Examining change over time points (T2-T1) 20 multiple choice knowledge items were developed during the project and were used to determine the extent to which participants understood basic program content, e.g., techniques parents can use to help their child master self-care routines. These included questions about the principles of behavior support (gathering information, evaluating possible reinforcers, etc.), definitions of behavioral concepts (tantrums, reinforcement, antecedent), and application of these concepts. The total score ranged from 0 to 20 with higher scores indicating better outcomes.

    Measured: Pre (0 weeks), Post (3 weeks)

  2. Consumer Satisfaction Questionnaire

    A 16-item scale was developed to evaluate parents' views of the feasibility, usability, and personal relevance of the program. It asked about the information taught in the program, the trainers, the website, and the other materials. The average score on these 19 items was evaluated and ranged from 1 to 6 with higher scores indicating more positive outcomes.

    Measured: Follow up (6 weeks)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted12 Jun 2015 (estimated)
  2. Study startAug 2016
  3. Primary completionOct 2017
  4. Study completion30 Oct 2017

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Supportive care
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
156 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02469870
Sponsor's protocol ID
2R44MH102845-02
Acronym
APT
Status last verified
Jan 2020
First submitted
8 Jun 2015
Last updated
5 Feb 2020
Data monitoring committee
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Autism Parent Trainer (APT) in people with Autism Disorder, run by IRIS Media Inc at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Feb 2020. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 5 Feb 2020). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Child Behavior Measured by Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (Goodman, 1997) (time frame: Pre (0 weeks), Post (3 weeks)). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Feb 2020.

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