Transdiagnostic Group Therapy (GBAT) for Autistic Adults With Personalized Therapeutics ((GBAT+))

Rutgers The State University of New Jersey

Status: Completed

Conditions: GBAT+Both; GBAT+Engagement Booster; GBAT+Individual

Treatments: Other: GBAT+I, GBAT+E - Phase I; Other: GBAT+IE; Other: Watchful Waiting and Groups - Phase 2

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05512221

Pro2022001343

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to build upon an earlier study that evaluated the use of a 10-week transdiagnostic Group Behavioral Activation Therapy (GBAT), a telehealth delivered intervention, as a cost effective and accessible way to treat symptoms of anxiety and depression in autistic adults. The current study will pilot and compare relative feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of three adapted GBAT groups and a Watchful Waiting (WW) group. The three groups include GBAT+Individual (GBAT+I; individual sessions to supplement the 10 group sessions), GBAT+Engagement Booster (GBAT+E; supplemental materials), and GBAT+Both (GBAT+IE individual sessions and supplemental materials).

Enrollment: 33 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 40 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Live in New Jersey or New York
• Be 18-40 years old
• Have a confirmed diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
• Have access to a device (e.g., computer with a webcam or smartphone) in order to complete online surveys and participate in videoconference sessions
• WRAT Reading Comprehension grade equivalent 6th grade or higher
• Receive a best-estimate diagnosis of an anxiety or mood disorder (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Specific Phobia, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Major Depressive Disorder, Unspecified Depression, Persistent Depressive Disorder).
• Be interested in participating in an online telehealth treatment group to address their difficulties in the aforementioned areas
• Approximately 60% of our sample will be White, Non-Hispanic; approximately 40% of our sample will be female-identifying and 40% will be male-identifying

Exclusion criteria

• Are younger than 18 years old, or older than 40 years old
• Do not have an ASD diagnosis
• Have WRAT Reading Comprehension below 6th grade level
• Are unable to understand English fluently
• Have a principal DSM-5 disorder other than one of the above listed anxiety or depression disorders, have received a diagnosis of Intellectual Disability, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder or demonstrate suicidal ideation or intent severe enough to require current hospitalization, or who have attempted suicide in the past 3 months.
• Are currently enrolled in another behavioral therapy or psychotherapy targeting depression, anxiety or anger.
• Are experiencing suicidal ideation that requires current hospitalization.
• The PI's best clinical judgment that it would not be in the adult's best interest to be enrolled (e.g., due to factors that may affect their engagement or comfort in the group).

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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33 participants in 3 patient groups

Phase I

Experimental group

Description:

GBAT+I and GBAT+E groups

Treatment:

Other: GBAT+I, GBAT+E - Phase I

Phase 2a

Experimental group

Description:

Watchful Waiting, GBAT+I, and GBAT+E groups

Treatment:

Other: Watchful Waiting and Groups - Phase 2

Phase 2b

Experimental group

Description:

GBAT+IE groups

Treatment:

Other: GBAT+IE