Will early intensive behavioral training improve executive function in young children with autism spectrum disorder?

ISRCTN ISRCTN70290917
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN70290917
Secondary identifying numbers 51533
Submission date
22/12/2016
Registration date
12/01/2017
Last edited
20/06/2023
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a common disorder that affects the way that a person communicates and relates to others. It is a spectrum condition the level of disability is spread across a wide range, from almost unnoticeable to completely debilitating. In general the symptoms involve problems with social communication (speech and body language), social interaction (recognising and expressing emotions) and social imagination (being able to understand and predict other people’s behaviour). It has also been found that people with ASD often experience problems with executive function (the management of mental processes such as working memory, reasoning, flexibility, and problem solving as well as planning and execution). There is a growing body of evidence that an intensive behavioral treatment program (intensive behavioural interventions) can lead to significant improvement in the functioning of young children with ASD. Early Intensive Behavioral Interventions (EIBI) are programs where this treatment is initiated early. They have been reported to be effective in improving socially significant behaviors to a meaningful degree. The aim of this study is to find out whether an EIBI can help improve executive function in children with autism.

Who can participate?
Children aged between three and six who have been diagnosed with autism.

What does the study involve?
All participants take part in the EIBI. This involves behavioral training from 30 to 40 hours per week, primarily in the kindergarten. The kindergarten teachers are trained to deliver the program and supervised closely by experienced clinicians. Children complete a number of assessments to measure their level of executive functioning at the start of the study and then after six and 12 months. At the start of the study, their IQ is also assessed so that this can be compared to the changes (if any) in executive function.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants may benefit from improvements in their behaviour. There are no notable risks involved with participating.

Where is the study run from?
Innlandet Hospital Trust (Norway)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
October 2016 to December 2021

Who is funding the study?
Division of habilitation and rehabilitation, Innlandet Hospital Trust (Norway)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Erik Winther Skogli
erik.winther.skogli@sykehuset-innlandet.no

Contact information

Mr Erik Winther Skogli
Scientific

Division of habilitation and rehabilitation
Innlandet Hospital Trust
Maihaugvegen 4
Lillehammer
2609
Norway

Phone +47 61 05 92 50
Email erik.winther.skogli@sykehuset-innlandet.no

Study information

Study designSingle-center non-randomised interventional study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designNon randomised study
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleBehavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) in a group of preschool children with autism spectrum disorder
Study acronymBAUS
Study objectivesEarly and Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) based early behavioral intervention will improve executive function in children with autism.
Ethics approval(s)Data Protection Official/Officer, 16/12/2016, ref: 51533
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
InterventionFollowing provision of parental informed consent, all children undergo a clinical assessment featuring a structured diagnostic interview (Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised), a diagnostic observation schedule (ADOS-2), neuropsychological assessment and a medical examination.

Children receiving an ASD diagnosis will be offered an intensive behavioral intervention based upon the principles of applied behavior analysis (EIBI). This intervention method involves behavioral training from 30 to 40 hours per week, primarily in the kindergarten of these children. The kindergarten teachers will be trained and supervised closely by experienced clinicians at Division of Habilitation and Rehabilitation, Innlandet Hospital Trust. The intervention period will last from 6 to 24 months depending on the age of children at baseline. The effect of intervention will be evaluated with the BRIEF after 6 months, 12 months (at the end of intervention) and 12 months after intervention have been terminated.
Intervention typeBehavioural
Primary outcome measureExecutive function is measured using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function - preschool Version (BRIEF-P) at baseline, after 6 months and 12 months.
Secondary outcome measures1. IQ is measured using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Fourth edition (WISC-IV) at baseline
2. Non-verbal IQ is measured using the Leiter International Performance Scale- Revised (Leiter-R) at baseline
Overall study start date01/10/2016
Completion date31/12/2021

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupChild
Lower age limit3 Years
Upper age limit6 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participantsMinimum 30 participants
Total final enrolment10
Key inclusion criteria1. Children diagnosed with an autism
2. Diagnosis from age 3 - 6 years
Key exclusion criteria1. IQ below 49
2. Subjects born prematurely (< 36 weeks)
3. Taking medication for the disorder they are referred for at the time of inclusion
Date of first enrolment01/01/2017
Date of final enrolment31/12/2018

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Norway

Study participating centre

Innlandet Hospital Trust
Division of habilitation and rehabilitation
Maihaugvegen 4
Lillehammer
2609
Norway

Sponsor information

Innlandet Hopital Trust
Hospital/treatment centre

Division of habilitation and rehabilitation
Innlandet Hospital Trust
Maihaugvegen 4
Lillehammer
2609
Norway

Phone +47 61 05 92 50
Email erik.winther.skogli@sykehuset-innlandet.no
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/02kn5wf75

Funders

Funder type

Hospital/treatment centre

Division of habilitation and rehabilitation, Innlandet Hospital Trust

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/12/2022
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planAt least two publications in scientific journals are planned.
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from erik.winther.skogli@sykehuset-innlandet.no

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article 13/05/2020 20/06/2023 Yes No

Editorial Notes

20/06/2023: Publication reference and total final enrolment added.
09/12/2020: The following changes have been made to the trial record:
1. The overall trial end date was changed from 31/12/2020 to 31/12/2021.
2. The intention to publish date was changed from 31/12/2021 to 31/12/2022.
17/01/2019: The following changes have been made to the trial record:
1. The overall trial end date has been changed from 31/12/2018 to 31/12/2020
2. The intention to publish date has been changed from 01/04/2019 to 31/12/2021