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Recruiting NCT05664841

The Impact of a Virtual Magic Trick Training Program

Phase II Interventional Autism Pervasive Developmental Disorder

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: magic trick training.
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder. Basic parameters: 11 years — 18 years · All.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
United States
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →

Official title

The Impact of a Virtual Magic Trick Training Program on Social Emotional Functioning in Adolescents With Autism

Overview

The proposed project will attempt to confirm the benefits of a structured magic trick training program (MTTP) experience in adolescents with autism. Benefits of participating in a 6-week virtual MTTP will be evaluated using validated assessments to measure social-emotional competencies.

Detailed description

The proposed study will employ a RCT to test the two hypotheses. The design of the MTTP is based on the SEL framework. The study will incorporate a 2 x 3 two-way factorial design with repeated measures at three time points. The two between-subject factor conditions will be participation in a MTTP versus a waitlist control condition that will be evaluated at baseline, immediately post-program, and at 6-week follow-up (within-subject factor conditions). Sixty adolescents with autism will be recruited for this study.

Aim 1. Evaluate the therapeutic benefits of a 6-week virtual MTTP on social-emotional functioning, and emotional stress among adolescents with autism.

Hypothesis #1: Adolescents with autism who participate in a virtual MTTP will demonstrate better social-emotional functioning, and a reduction in emotional stress compared to waitlist controls at the conclusion of a 6-week MTTP.

Hypothesis #2: The positive impact of the virtual MTTP on the participants' improved social-emotional functioning, and reduction in emotional stress will be maintained at 6-week follow-up.

Interventions

  • Behavioral magic trick training
    A typical session will begin with the magician demonstrating a magic trick then revealing the secret move of the trick.The participants will learn and practice each trick. With assistance from the magician, participants will develop an oralstory presentation for the trick. After participants master one trick, the magician will demonstrate and teach the next.

Primary outcome measures

  • Test of Adolescents Social Skills Knowledge (TASSK) [Time frame: baseline]
  • Test of Adolescents Social Skills Knowledge (TASSK) [Time frame: at 6 week]
  • Test of Adolescents Social Skills Knowledge (TASSK) [Time frame: at 12 week]
  • Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) [Time frame: baseline]
  • Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) [Time frame: at 6 week]
  • Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) [Time frame: at 12 week]
  • Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (RSES) [Time frame: baseline]
  • Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (RSES) [Time frame: at 6 week]
  • Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (RSES) [Time frame: at 12 week]
  • UCLA Loneliness Scale Version 3 [Time frame: baseline]
Secondary outcome measures (3)
  • Emotional stress [Time frame: baseline]
  • Emotional stress [Time frame: at 6 week]
  • Emotional stress [Time frame: at 12 week]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • Confirmed diagnosis (with proof of evidence) of autism;
  • Aged between 11 and 18 years (younger children may lack the inductive reasoning skills to learn magic tricks);
  • Have functional hand dexterity to do magic tricks
  • Intact cognition as indicated by a score above the corresponding cut-off point of the child's age on the Mini-Mental Examination for Children; and
  • Access to internet and a computer or smartphone that can perform videoconferencing.

Exclusion criteria

  • Severe hearing or visual impairments that prevent online learning;
  • Previous participation in organized magic learning program or camp;
  • Current or planned participation in psychological therapy or a clinical trial during the study period that could affect the outcomes of the study.

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation
Randomized
Model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Open label
Primary purpose
Treatment

Study locations

United States · 1 center
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham

Publications

  • Spencer K, Yuen HK, Jenkins GR, Kirklin K, Vogtle LK, Davis D. The 'magic' of magic camp from the perspective of children with hemiparesis. J Exerc Rehabil. 2021 Feb 23;17(1):15-20. doi: 10.12965/jer.2040802.401. eCollection 2021 Feb. PMID 33728284

Identifiers

NCT: NCT05664841 · 1909503-38

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗