Comparing Behavioral Assessments Using Telehealth for Children With Autism

Matthew J O'Brien, PhD, BCBA-D

Status: Completed

Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder

Treatments: Behavioral: Pragmatic FA+FCT; Behavioral: Standard FA+FCT

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT02456298

R01MH104363 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

IRB#201501781

Details and patient eligibility

About

The main purpose of this study is to determine the most efficient way for families to reduce problem behavior in their children with an autism spectrum disorder. Parents will be trained using telehealth to use applied behavior analysis (ABA) procedures to improve child behavior and communication. The study compares an established type of ABA assessment and treatment to a briefer, more streamlined version of this same type of assessment/treatment.

Full description

Managing challenging behavior in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can profoundly improve quality of life for children and families. However, many families lack access to research-based treatment, such as applied behavior analysis (ABA). This study is a randomized trial comparing outcomes of treatment for ASD using either a standard Functional Analysis Plus Functional Communication Training (FA+FCT) package or a pragmatic version that offers a briefer, less time-intensive model of FA+FCT. Both types of FA+FCT are provided via telehealth in family homes to maximize generalizability to real-life settings. Providing ABA through telehealth makes an effective treatment accessible across geographic barriers so that no child is excluded based on where they live. The study also examines key family factors that influence successful outcomes.

The study has 3 primary aims: (1) To assess outcomes for ABA telehealth by assigning children to either a Pragmatic FA+FCT group or to a group receiving Standard FA+FCT. Outcomes will be compared based on the percent reduction in problem behavior, communication increases, time to achieve outcomes, treatment fidelity, family acceptance of treatment, and generalization and maintenance of treatment gains. (2) The study will assess the relation of family factors to treatment efficacy and acceptability by assessing parent stress, mood, and social support in relation to outcomes. (3) Cost effectiveness will be assessed in relation to the treatment methods used and the efficiency of ABA telehealth.

The study will include 102 children who meet eligibility criteria from among a larger sample of 150 children. Thirty-six children will receive intervention in each of three states: Iowa, Georgia, and Texas. Study design is a randomized trial using an intent-to-treat analysis. Half of the sample will be randomized to Pragmatic FA+FCT and half to Standard FA+FCT. Treatment will be provided via telehealth using FCT, which is a function-based ABA technique in which parents are trained to be therapists under the direction of behavior consultants. Study procedures typically are completed within 6 months, and follow-up assessments occur 6 months after treatment completion. Data analyses include comparisons between assessment groups, single-case designs examining responses in individual children, cost analyses, and regression analyses of the effects of family factors on outcomes.

The investigators prior research shows that problem behavior can be reduced by over 90% in most children with ASD after 4-6 months of telehealth treatment. If Pragmatic FA+FCT can reduce problem behavior at rates comparable to Standard FA+FCT, then treatment can be started sooner and families can achieve successful outcomes at lower cost. Although pragmatic FA+FCT provides less behavioral information, it may be more resistant to treatment relapse because it does not involve reinforcing high rates of problem behavior.

Enrollment: 152 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 83 months old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Confirmed diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
• Significant behavior problems requiring treatment
• At least one parent willing to be trained in behavior analysis via telehealth

Exclusion criteria

• Unstable or degenerative neurological disorder

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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152 participants in 2 patient groups

Standard FA+FCT

Active Comparator group

Description:

Parents are coached via weekly telehealth visits to use Functional Analysis (FA) to assess problem behavior and Functional Communication Training (FCT) to treat the problem behavior identified.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Standard FA+FCT

Pragmatic FA+FCT

Experimental group

Description:

Parents are coached via weekly telehealth visits to use a brief, streamlined version of Functional Analysis (FA) to assess problem behavior and to follow that assessment with Functional Communication Training (FCT) to treat the problem behavior identified. The version of FCT used in the Pragmatic arm involves significantly less data scoring and graphing than the version used in the Standard arm.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Pragmatic FA+FCT