Effects of Virtual Discrete Trial Training on Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (VDT)

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder categorized by deficits in social communication and the occurrence of restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. The cautionary needs of children with ASD are significant, it affects parents and siblings as well and requires substantial social support. If adequate intervention is not provided to children with ASD on time, then they may face many difficulties for example in academic work. They face social isolation and may develop additional challenging behaviors. Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is one of the most commonly used supported treatments for autism spectrum disorder. Discrete Trial Training (DTT) is one of the most structured Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) types. DTT is the best standardized therapy for ASD. The ABA explores human interactions with their environment over time and develops interventional strategies to diminish the decline in the troublesomeness of social behavior among individuals with ASD. DTT through video training Program will be an effective in improving the communication skills of children with ASD. The video training program offers excellent accessibility and is inexpensive because it can be administered remotely and at home as well. It also reduces the resource barrios.

A randomized controlled study was conducted on children aged between 3-10 years diagnosed with ASD at PSRD hospital having Different severity levels. DTT was provided through a video training program using digital technology with informed consent from their caregivers/parents. The sample size was 10. Both groups contain 5 participants. The treatment group will be trained on DTT through the video training program. Sessions were conducted thrice a week for 45 minutes. The duration of the experiment was 12 weeks. The control group did not intervene with the video training program during the experiment. Pre & Post language assessment was done through British Picture Vocabulary Scale.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Virtual discrete trial training

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 10
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Punjab
    • Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
      • Pakistan Society for Rehabilitation of Differently Abled

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age range between 3-10 years.
• Clinically diagnosed children from Psychologists were taken for study who had 2-3 words in vocabulary or no vocabulary at all.
• Each group received 3 weekly sessions for 45 minutes for 12 weeks.
• Video training was given through animated videos.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children with any comorbidities e.g. Intellectual Disability, Cerebral Palsy, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Down's Syndrome and Hearing Impaired children will exclude from this study.
• Children diagnosed with severe autism.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Experimental group; Video Training was used for the experimental group	Other: Virtual discrete trial training; VDT was given to Experimental group.; Other Names: Face to face therapy
Active Comparator: Controlled group; Face to face therapy was used for the control group	Other: Virtual discrete trial training; VDT was given to Experimental group.; Other Names: Face to face therapy

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
British Picture Vocabulary Scale	It helps you identify any delay in vocabulary development, even before children are in full-time education. BPVS3 is a one-to-one test in a simple and easy to administer format. For each question, you say a word and the pupil responds by selecting a picture from four options that best illustrates that word's meaning	3 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Riphah International University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Shahzadi Arshad, MS SLP, Pakistan Society for Rehabilitation of Differently Abled

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 2, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 5, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): February 1, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 22, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 25, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): July 26, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 26, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 25, 2024
• Last Verified: July 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Autistic Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive
• Other Study ID Numbers: RiphahIU-123 Shahzadi Arshad

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No