The Efficacy of EMDR in Youngsters With Autism (EYE-catcher)

Karakter Kinder- en Jeugdpsychiatrie

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Treatments

Other: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT03467464

NL6002609116

Details and patient eligibility

About

Rationale: Currently, for youngsters there is no treatment available that directly targets the core symptoms of autism. EMDR is hypothesized to improve the core symptoms of ASD by reducing the generally high stress levels experienced during social interactions, and increasing the functional connectivity in neuronal networks associated with executive functioning and limbic circuitry.

Objective: The primary objective of the study is to determine if EMDR reduces the core symptoms of ASD and daily experienced stress in youngsters diagnosed with ASD.

Study design: Longitudinal multiple single case studies. Study population: Youngsters aged 12-21 years who are diagnosed with ASD and have a full-scale IQ of 80 or more (N=20).

Intervention: 10 weekly EMDR sessions.

Main study parameters/endpoints: The main endpoint of the study are autism symptoms, which will be assessed using the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-A) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS 2). The SRS-A will be administered prior, during and after treatment. The ADOS 2 will be administered prior to treatment and after treatment completion. In addition, we will also administer the Trauma Symptom Investigation Form in Autism Spectrum Disorders (TIF-ASD) questionnaire prior to, during, and after treatment. Furthermore, to answer more fundamental questions concerning the working mechanism of EMDR in ASD, other secondary outcome measures (i.e. PSS-10, AWMA-2) will be included.

Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: Participants are expected to benefit from treatment. The risks associated with study participation are considered negligible and the burden associated with participation is estimated as low.

Enrollment

20 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

12 to 21 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Diagnosed with ASD (with or without comorbid psychiatric disorders, except PTSD and anxiety disorders)
Full-scale IQ of 80 or more
Able to understand and speak Dutch

Exclusion criteria

Receiving other treatments than medication on a stable dosage.
PTSD or other comorbid psychiatric disorders that require immediate and continuous treatment.