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Recruiting NCT07637799

Feasibility Study of UP-A-AST Parent Group for Adolescents With Autism and Co-occurring Anxiety/Depression

No phase Interventional Autistic Spectrum Disorder Anxiety Disorders Depressive 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: Unified Protocol-Adolescent Autism Parent Group (UP-A-AST).
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorder. Basic parameters: from 12 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
Sweden
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

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Official title

Unified Protocol-Adolescent Autism Parent Group (UP-A-AST) for Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Co-occurring Anxiety and/or Depressive Disorders: A Feasibility Study

Overview

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with high rates of psychiatric comorbidity, particularly anxiety and depressive disorders, which contribute to significant impairment for affected youth and their families. Although cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is recommended as a first-line treatment for anxiety and depression in children and adolescents, there is a lack of evidence-based interventions specifically adapted for youth with ASD and co-occurring emotional disorders. The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Children and Adolescents (UP-C/UP-A) is a CBT-based intervention targeting shared mechanisms underlying anxiety and depression. A parent-mediated adaptation, the Unified Protocol-Adolescent Autism Parent Group (UP-A-AST), has been developed to address the specific needs of adolescents with ASD and co-occurring anxiety and/or depressive disorders. Preliminary quality improvement work has shown promising results. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of the UP-A-AST Parent Group in a child and adolescent outpatient psychiatric setting. The study will include parents of adolescents aged 12-17 years with ASD and co-occurring anxiety and/or depressive disorders. Outcomes include changes in adolescents' psychiatric symptoms and functional impairment, as well as parents' perceived parenting competence. Additionally, parents' experiences of participating in the intervention will be explored.

Interventions

  • Other Unified Protocol-Adolescent Autism Parent Group (UP-A-AST)
    The intervention is delivered in a group format to parents and focuses on strengthening parenting skills and promoting the adolescent's mental health and functional outcomes.

Primary outcome measures

  • Change from baseline in RCADS Total Score through 3-Month Follow-up. [Time frame: Baseline, at completion of the intervention (10 weeks) and 3 months post intervention]
Secondary outcome measures (3)
  • Change from baseline in Child Anxiety Life Interference Scale-Revised, Parent Version (CALIS-R) total Score at 3-Month follow-up [Time frame: Baseline, at completion of the intervention (10 weeks) and 3 months post intervention]
  • Change From Baseline in Brief Parental Self-Efficacy Scale (BPSES) Total Score at 3-Month Follow-up [Time frame: Baseline, at completion of the intervention (10 weeks) and 3 months post intervention]
  • Parent-reported experience of participation in the intervention UP-A-AST Parent Group [Time frame: At completion of the intervention (12 weeks)]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • Adolescents aged 12-17 years
  • Clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to DSM-IV, DSM-5, or ICD-10
  • Current diagnosis of anxiety disorder and/or depressive disorder according to DSM-5
  • Ongoing contact with a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (BUP) outpatient clinic
  • Stable psychopharmacological treatment at the time of inclusion (if applicable)
  • Parents has participated in a psychoeducational program on autism within child and adolescent psychiatric services, or is assessed by the clinician to have equivalent knowledge

Exclusion criteria

  • Presence of a severe psychiatric disorder, such as psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or severe eating disorder
  • High suicide risk or suicide attempt within the past 12 months
  • Severe self-injurious behavior
  • Intellectual disability according to DSM-5
  • The adolescent is primarily in need of basic interventions for autism spectrum disorder
  • Parents are unable to attend all group sessions and/or lack the ability to engage in assigned home practice
  • Need for an interpreter

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

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation
N/A
Model
Single group
Masking
Open label
Primary purpose
Treatment

Study locations

Sweden · 1 center
  • BUP- Specialmottagning, Sahlgrenska University Hospital — Gothenburg

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07637799 · 2025-05437-01

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗