Applied Behavior Analysis With Technologies

Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Trial

Official title:

Evaluating the Effect of Use of Technologies to Increase the Cognitive Abilities in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT06310317
• Other study ID #: CNR-IRIB-PRO-2024-003
• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: September 1, 2023
• Est. completion date: January 31, 2025

Study information

• Verified date: March 2024
• Source: Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica
• Contact: Flavia Marino
• Phone: +393395798263
• Email: flavia.marino[@]irib.cnr.it
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapeutic approach for autism that is based on the principles of behavioral theory, learning, and positive reinforcement. Current research shows that early and intensive ABA intervention is effective in reducing dysfunctional behaviors and promoting learning and enactment of socially appropriate behaviors.

In this context, new approaches that attempt to integrate advanced technologies can play a key role. This experimental protocol aims to test whether the use of advanced technologies, such as tablets, as part of an intervention for a group of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is more effective than the traditional approach implemented in a control group of children with ASD. The experimental protocol is aimed at enhancing cognitive skills, increasing new skills and acquiring functional/adaptive behaviors.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Recruiting
• Enrollment: 30
• Est. completion date: January 31, 2025
• Est. primary completion date: January 31, 2025
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 5 Years to 12 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children with diagnosis of autism

Exclusion Criteria:

• presence of other medical disorders

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Autism
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Autistic Disorder
• Child Development Disorders, Pervasive

Intervention

Behavioral:
• Applied Behavior Analysis protocol
The main objective of the experimental protocol is to promote the development of cognitive skills, facilitate the acquisition of new skills and promote the adoption of functional and adaptive behaviors. The use of Applied Behavior Analysis procedures, with the help of technological tools such as a tablet or robot can facilitate the increase of new knowledge and skills. The criterion is acquired if the subject emits 8 out of 10 independent correct responses (90%) for 3 consecutive sessions. The objective is to test whether the technological tool used (tablet or robot) can make the proposed learning procedure more effective. The experimental group carries out the procedure by means of stimuli presented on tablets or robots.
• Traditional intervention
The main objective of the experimental protocol is to promote the development of cognitive skills, facilitate the acquisition of new skills and promote the adoption of functional and adaptive behaviors. In this group the materials are traditional, such as image printed. The criterion is acquired if the subject emits 9 out of 10 independent correct responses (90%) for 3 consecutive sessions. The control group performs the procedure with images printed on A4 laminated sheets.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Italy	Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB) - National Research Council (CNR)	Messina

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Italy, 

References & Publications (3)

Choi KR, Bhakta B, Knight EA, Becerra-Culqui TA, Gahre TL, Zima B, Coleman KJ. Patient Outcomes After Applied Behavior Analysis for Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2022 Jan 1;43(1):9-16. doi: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000000995. — View Citation

Valencia K, Rusu C, Quinones D, Jamet E. The Impact of Technology on People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Literature Review. Sensors (Basel). 2019 Oct 16;19(20):4485. doi: 10.3390/s19204485. — View Citation

Yu Q, Li E, Li L, Liang W. Efficacy of Interventions Based on Applied Behavior Analysis for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis. Psychiatry Investig. 2020 May;17(5):432-443. doi: 10.30773/pi.2019.0229. Epub 2020 May 8. — View Citation

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP)	Is an assessment tool that attends to all those skills that are fundamental to the development and enhancement of verbal communication skills and the proper use of language in social interactions. It focuses especially on the assessment of language prerequisites fundamental to the development of verbal behavior in accordance with the classification of verbal operants proposed by Skinner: mand, tact, echoic, intraverbal. It consists of a manual, a protocol and a set of materials (pictures and standardized items for assessment). The protocol is divided into: Tables; Early Echoic Skills Assessment (EESA) - Assessment of barriers: behaviors that might hinder the child's learning; Assessment of transitions: the child's ability to make the transition to teaching modes based on the natural context; Task Analysis and Skills Monitoring: describes the individual milestones required to reach the main milestone; Scoring grids	the test need approximately 1 hour