Using the Prevent-Teach-Reinforce Model to Reduce Problem Behaviors in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Clinical Trial

Official title:

Using the Prevent-Teach-Reinforce Model to Reduce Problem Behaviors in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT02153203
• Other study ID #: CERFAS-2014-15-058-P
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• First received: May 29, 2014
• Last updated: October 24, 2016
• Start date: October 2014
• Est. completion date: September 2016

Study information

• Verified date: October 2016
• Source: Université de Montréal
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: Canada: Ethics Review Committee
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

Children with autism spectrum disorders often engage in problem behaviors such as self-injury, destruction, aggression, and stereotypy. Prior research has clearly shown that these problem behaviors may interfere with learning, daily functioning, and social participation. As such, engaging in problem behaviors has a negative impact on the health and quality of life of children with autism spectrum disorders and their families. One promising solution to reduce problem behaviors in this population is the Prevent-Teach-Reinforce (PTR) model, which relies on the evidence-based practices of positive behavior support. Although the use of PTR has been gaining considerably support in schools, the model has never been evaluated as part of a rigorous large-scale study using parents as interventionists. Thus, the purpose of the project is to conduct an assessment of the effectiveness of a home-based version of the PTR model in reducing problem behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders and in improving families' quality of life. Our hypotheses are that implementing the PTR will (a) produce larger reductions in problem behaviors than participating in an individual parent training session, (b) increase engagement in prosocial behaviors, (c) decrease parental stress, and (c) improve the quality of life of the family. The results of the study will allow an examination of whether PTR is an effective and acceptable model to reduce problem behaviors at home in this population. Given that problem behaviors incur high societal costs when they persist into adolescence and adulthood, the study may potentially lead to large cost reductions in the treatment of difficulties associated with autism spectrum disorders. By reducing engagement in problem behaviors, the implementation of the model may also promote and facilitate the social participation as well as improve the quality of life and health of children with autism spectrum disorders and their families.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 42
• Est. completion date: September 2016
• Est. primary completion date: June 2016
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: Both
• Age group: N/A to 12 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder

• Must exhibit problem behavior

Exclusion Criteria:

• Already receiving services to reduce problem behaviors at home

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Child Development Disorders, Pervasive
• Developmental Disabilities
• Disease
• Problem Behavior

Intervention

Behavioral:
• Prevent-Teach-Reinforce Model
Implementation of the model once to twice per week over a period of 8 weeks

Other:
• Individual Parent Training Session
One 2- to 3-hour individual parent training session on the assessment and treatment of problem behavior

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Canada	West Montreal Readaptation Centre	Lachine	Quebec
Canada	Gold Centre	Montreal	Quebec
Canada	CRDITED de Montréal	Montréal	Quebec

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Université de Montréal

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Canada, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Change from baseline in parental report of problem behavior at 8 weeks	Problem behavior scale of the Problem Behavior Inventory	Prior to the start of the intervention and 8 weeks later	No
Secondary	Change from baseline in quality of life at 8 weeks	Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale	Prior to the start of the intervention and 8 weeks later	No
Secondary	Change from baseline in parental report of stress at 20 weeks	Parenting Stress Index Short Form	Prior to the start of the intervention and 20 weeks later	No
Secondary	Change from baseline in parental report of stress at 8 weeks	Parenting Stress Index Short Form	Prior to the start of the intervention and 8 weeks later	No
Secondary	Change from baseline in quality of life at 20 weeks	Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale	Prior to the start of the intervention and 20 weeks later	No
Secondary	Social validity of the intervention	Treatment Acceptability Rating Form - Revised	After 8 weeks of intervention	No
Secondary	Change from baseline in parental report of problem behavior at 20 weeks	Problem behavior scale of the Problem Behavior Inventory	Prior to the start of the intervention and 20 weeks later	No
Secondary	Change from baseline in parental report of positive social behavior at 20 weeks	Positive social behavior scale of the Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form	Prior to the start of the intervention and 20 weeks later	No
Secondary	Change from baseline in parental report of positive social behavior at 8 weeks	Positive social behavior scale of the Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form	Prior to the start of the intervention and 8 weeks later	No