Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT; Linehan, 1993) effectively diminishes emotion dysregulation and self-harm behaviors in a number of disorders. However, to our knowledge, no studies have investigated the efficacy of DBT to treat emotional dysregulation associated with self-harm and suicidal behaviors in adults with ASD without intellectual disability. This randomized controlled study trial aims to assess the efficacy of a 5-month DBT intervention in adults with ASD without intellectual disability who present with self-harm and/or suicidal behaviors.

Official Title
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders Without Intellectual Disability: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Autism Spectrum Disorders

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: ≥ 18 years old ASD diagnosis according to the DSM-5 IQ ≥ 70 Suicidal ideas, suicidal attempts and/or self-harm behaviors 6 months prior to the inclusion Able to understand and consent to the research aims Membership in a health insurance fund Exclusion Criteria: complete hospitalization ongoing CBT or DBT past DBT schizophrenia disorders under guardianship

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)<br>Psychotherapy (duration 5 months) will begin within a maximum of 1 month (the time to set up the group) and will be accompanied by individual follow-up. Evaluations will be carried out within 6 months of the end of the psychotherapy in order to measure its effects. | Other: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)<br>* Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)<br>|
| Other: Therapy<br>waiting list for 5 months before starting psychotherapy (duration 5 months). During this time, the patient can continue your usual therapeutic follow-ups. Likewise, assessments will be carried out within 6 months after the end of the psychotherapy in order to measure its effects. the patient will thus benefit from DBT regardless of the group. | Other: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)<br>* Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) | The minimum value of the DERS scale is 0 and the maximum is 180. The higher the scores, the more severe the deregulation. | baseline | 
| Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) | The minimum value of the DERS scale is 0 and the maximum is 180. The higher the scores, the more severe the deregulation. | at the end of therapy (5 months) | 
| Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) | The minimum value of the DERS scale is 0 and the maximum is 180. The higher the scores, the more severe the deregulation. | 11 months follow-up |