Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Recreational Activity for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Autistic Disorder Clinical Trial

Official title: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Recreational Activity for Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine if adults with autism spectrum disorder and with normal intelligence improve from 36 sessions (1 calendar year) of group treatment with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or recreational activity in groups with 6-8 participants.

Clinical Trial Description

The purpose of this study was to compare two group interventions for psychiatric patients with Autism spectrum disorder and normal intelligence: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy developed to suit adults with Autism spectrum disorder, and recreational activity, enabling social interaction. The recreational activity intervention served as a low-impact option, easily organised within the community. It is not a placebo; rather it controls for the positive effects that come out of a structured social environment and group setting. The investigators hypothesized that both interventions would lead to improvement in quality of life, well-being and relief in psychiatric symptoms, with a greater effect in the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy intervention compared to recreational activity. A cumulative follow-up was made, within 5 1/2 years after the start of the treatments. Additional questions adapted to the patient group were added at this 5 1/2 year time point. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Asperger Syndrome
• Atypical Autism
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Autistic Disorder
• Disease

• NCT number: NCT01655173
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Karolinska Institutet
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: August 2005
• Completion date: September 2011