Care Improving Cognition for ADolescents on the Autism Spectrum
Condition: Autism Spectrum Disorder
MeSH terms: Autistic Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This is a validation study to evaluate the acceptability, feasibility and impact of CICADAS
      (Care Improving Cognition for ADolescents on the Autism Spectrum), a clinician-assisted,
      digital application that aims to prime the brain to engage in flexible, adaptive long-term
      learning about social-emotional events through closed-loop technology.
    

Detailed description: 
      This study will employ an innovative and evidence-based digital intervention that includes
      ten digital assessments (CICADAS app) that will capture data on sensory processing
      abnormalities and associated cognitive deficits. We will leverage pilot data collected in
      adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and accumulate preliminary evidence for
      CICADAS app to function as 1) a stand-alone treatment; 2) a primer for PEERS (Program for the
      Education and Enrichment of Relationship Skills); 3) an enhancer for PEERS. This study will
      test CICADAS app in adolescents with ASD in a three-arm, active-controlled randomized
      crossover trial to document the acceptability and evaluate its potential as a stand-alone
      treatment, as a primer for PEERS, or as a treatment enhancer of PEERS.
    

Intervention name(s): CICADAS and then PEERS; PEERS + CICADAS and then no-contact; PEERS + Active Comparator and then no-contact
Intervention type(s): Other; Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Participants will complete sensory processing assessments and neuroplasticity-based social cognitive training (NB-SCT) exercises on a digital device for a total of 40 hours. The CICADAS app captures user-specific sensory processing abnormalities (SPA) through 10 brief computerized assessments. The data from these assessments guide and personalize the delivery of 10 NB-SCT exercises. After 16 weeks, participants will then crossover to PEERS, participants will be asked to attend weekly 1-hour group sessions led by a PEERS clinician. Each PEERS group session will consist of a minimum of 3 participants and will meet as a group using Zoom. PEERS teaches how to solve real-life social dilemmas, appraise affect and social contexts, and initiate and maintain conversations while receiving feedback from peers and clinicians.; Participants will complete both PEERS and CICADAS study activities. Participants will complete sensory processing assessments and neuroplasticity-based social cognitive training (NB-SCT) exercises on a digital device for a total of 40 hours. The CICADAS app captures user-specific sensory processing abnormalities (SPA) through 10 brief computerized assessments. The data from these assessments guide and personalize the delivery of 10 NB-SCT exercises. In addition, participants will be asked to attend weekly 1-hour group sessions led by a PEERS clinician. Each PEERS group session will consist of a minimum of 3 participants and will meet as a group using Zoom. PEERS teaches how to solve real-life social dilemmas, appraise affect and social contexts, and initiate and maintain conversations while receiving feedback from peers and clinicians. After 16 weeks, participant will crossover to No-Contact with no active intervention.; Participants will complete both PEERS and Active Comparator study activities. Participants will engage in computerized, casual video games for a total of 40 hours. Participants will also complete the 10 sensory processing abnormalities (SPA) computerized assessments. In addition, participants will be asked to attend weekly 1-hour group sessions led by a PEERS clinician. Each PEERS group session will consist of a minimum of 3 participants and will meet as a group using Zoom. PEERS teaches how to solve real-life social dilemmas, appraise affect and social contexts, and initiate and maintain conversations while receiving feedback from peers and clinicians. After 16 weeks, participant will crossover to No-Contact with no active intervention.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment