Clinical trial NCT02124720: Using Mobile Technology to Reduce Stereotypy
Official title: Using Mobile Technology to Reduce Stereotypy in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Child Development Disorders, Pervasive
Keywords: Autism spectrum disorders
Stereotypy
Repetitive behavior
Lead sponsor: Université de Montréal
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2014-04-28
Enrollment: 39
Sex: ALL
Maximum age (years): 12
Standard ages: CHILD
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: NA
Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: Nearly all children with autism spectrum disorders engage in non-functional repetitive vocal and motor behaviours commonly referred to as stereotypy. These repetitive behaviours may considerably interfere with the child's daily functioning, learning, and social inclusion. As such, stereotypy generally has a negative impact on the child and family's health and quality of life. Several behavioural interventions have been developed to reduce engagement in stereotypy in children with autism spectrum disorders, but the limited number of specialists available, the long waiting lists associated with public health services in Canada, and the high costs of private services have considerably restricted accessibility. One potential solution to the limited availability and high costs of services is using a mobile application to recommend, teach, and monitor interventions designed to reduce engagement in stereotypy. To this end, the purpose of the study is to evaluate the effects of the iSTIM (i.e., individualized Stereotypy Treatment Integrated Modules), a mobile application designed to assist parents in reducing stereotypy in children with autism spectrum disorders. Specifically, we will assess whether the iSTIM correctly estimates the frequency or duration of stereotypy, offers suggestions consistent with recommended clinical practices, effectively reduces engagement in stereotypy, and is socially acceptable, safe, and easy to use for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders. The results of the study will allow us to determine whether the mobile application may be used to treat this core symptom in children with autism spectrum disorders, which could potentially reduce waiting times and costs of providing health services to this population. By reducing engagement in stereotypy, the iSTIM 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.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders
* Must engage in at least one form of stereotypy

Exclusion Criteria:

* Stereotypy occurs less than 12 times per hour (or less than 20% of time)
* The form of stereotypy is potentially dangerous for the person (e.g., head banging, self-biting)
* The form of stereotypy is maintained by social consequences (e.g., attention, task avoidance)

Primary outcomes:
measure: Frequency and duration of stereotypy
timeFrame: 2 to 4 times per week over 8 to 16 weeks
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Social validity score
timeFrame: Immediately following the end of the intervention (i.e., after 8 to 16 weeks)
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Mississauga
country: Canada
facility: Monarch House
state: Ontario
city: Montreal
country: Canada
facility: CRDITED de Montréal
state: Quebec
city: Montreal
country: Canada
facility: Gold Centre
state: Quebec
Study officials:
affiliation: Université de Montréal
name: Marc J Lanovaz, Ph.D.
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: