Evaluation of a Resiliency Intervention for Siblings of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (SibChat)

Mass General Brigham

Status: Completed

Conditions: Stress

Treatments: Behavioral: Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for Siblings of Children with ASD

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT04369417

2019P003218

Details and patient eligibility

About

The proposed research has the following objectives:

Based off findings from the "Development of a Resiliency Program for Siblings of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder" qualitative focus group study (protocol 2019P002284), the aim is to determine the feasibility and acceptability, of an 8-session Relaxation Response Resiliency (SibChat) program for siblings of children with ASD.

We primarily aim to test the preliminary effectiveness of a pilot waitlist controlled trial on improving resiliency and stress coping, This will be assessed by comparing Baseline-3 mo. scores on primary and secondary outcome measures between the Immediate and Waitlist control groups.

Among participants randomized to both conditions, we secondarily aim to investigate the extent of pre-post changes in primary and secondary outcomes. Among immediate condition group only, we also aim to assess whether end-of-treatment (3 mo. post enrollment) improvements will be sustained at 6-mo. post enrollment.

Full description

This intervention will be a modified version of Dr. Elyse Park's evidence-based 8-week multimodal treatment which is designed to promote adaptation to stress and promotion of resiliency. The program is an 8 session, 1 hour a week multi modal intervention that incorporates relaxation techniques, stress awareness discussion, and adaptive strategies for coping with stress. This study will refine an 8-session group virtual-delivered resiliency treatment program consisting of 8 virtual group 1-1 ½ hour sessions. The goal of this study would be to advance our ultimate objective to implement a national sibling resiliency program.

Enrollment: 44 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 14 to 17 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Age 14-17 years (inclusive of ages 14 and 17)
2. Being the sibling of at least one individual with ASD
3. Access to internet or smart phone
4. English speaking

Exclusion criteria

1. Diagnosis of ASD
2. Past year psychiatric hospitalization

There are no exclusion criteria with respect to ethnicity or socioeconomic status.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Factorial Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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44 participants in 2 patient groups

Experimental: 3RP treatment

Experimental group

Description:

An adapted version of the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program (3RP) for siblings of children with ASD. The adapted program incorporates the three prongs of the 3RP: RR elicitation, stress awareness, and adaptive strategies.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for Siblings of Children with ASD

Active Comparator: Waitlist control

Active Comparator group

Description:

An adapted version of the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program (3RP) for siblings of children with ASD. The adapted program incorporates the three prongs of the 3RP: RR elicitation, stress awareness, and adaptive strategies.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for Siblings of Children with ASD