Clinical trial NCT05664841: The Impact of a Virtual Magic Trick Training Program
Official title: The Impact of a Virtual Magic Trick Training Program on Social Emotional Functioning in Adolescents With Autism
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: RECRUITING
Phase: PHASE2
Conditions: Autism
Pervasive Developmental Disorder
Lead sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2022-12-27
Enrollment: 60
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 11
Maximum age (years): 18
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: Randomized controlled trial
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: 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.

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.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Test of Adolescents Social Skills Knowledge (TASSK)
timeFrame: baseline
measure: Test of Adolescents Social Skills Knowledge (TASSK)
timeFrame: at 6 week
measure: Test of Adolescents Social Skills Knowledge (TASSK)
timeFrame: at 12 week
measure: Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)
timeFrame: baseline
measure: Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)
timeFrame: at 6 week
measure: Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)
timeFrame: at 12 week
measure: Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (RSES)
timeFrame: baseline
measure: Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (RSES)
timeFrame: at 6 week
measure: Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (RSES)
timeFrame: at 12 week
measure: UCLA Loneliness Scale Version 3
timeFrame: baseline
measure: UCLA Loneliness Scale Version 3
timeFrame: at 6 week
measure: UCLA Loneliness Scale Version 3
timeFrame: at 12 week
measure: Self-efficacy Questionnaire for Children
timeFrame: baseline
measure: Self-efficacy Questionnaire for Children
timeFrame: at 6 week
measure: Self-efficacy Questionnaire for Children
timeFrame: at 12 week
measure: Best Friend Index
timeFrame: baseline
measure: Best Friend Index
timeFrame: at 6 week
measure: Best Friend Index
timeFrame: at 12 week
measure: Quality of Socialization Questionnaire
timeFrame: baseline
measure: Quality of Socialization Questionnaire
timeFrame: at 6 week
measure: Quality of Socialization Questionnaire
timeFrame: at 12 week
measure: Autism Social Skills Profile
timeFrame: baseline
measure: Autism Social Skills Profile
timeFrame: at 6 week
measure: Autism Social Skills Profile
timeFrame: at 12 week
measure: Stanford Social Dimensions Scale
timeFrame: baseline
measure: Stanford Social Dimensions Scale
timeFrame: at 6 week
measure: Stanford Social Dimensions Scale
timeFrame: at 12 week
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Emotional stress
timeFrame: baseline
measure: Emotional stress
timeFrame: at 6 week
measure: Emotional stress
timeFrame: at 12 week
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Birmingham
country: United States
facility: University of Alabama at Birmingham
state: Alabama
Study officials:
affiliation: University of Alabama at Birmingham
name: Hon Yuen, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: 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.