Metacognitive group therapy for autistic teens with anxiety and depression

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This open pilot enrolls 15–18-year-olds with autism and anxiety and/or depression into six consecutive group cohorts of six participants each. Groups meet weekly with therapists trained in metacognitive therapy and selected metacognitive processes are monitored at each session. Clinical assessments occur pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at six-month follow-up, and feasibility outcomes include recruitment, retention, compliance, treatment delivery issues, acceptability, and adverse effects. Preliminary symptom and process effects will be analyzed with paired-sample t-tests to inform feasibility and design of future controlled trials.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age of 15 to 18 years
* Seeking medical care PRIMA psychiatric clinic for children and youth in Stockholm
* Diagnoses of anxiety disorder or depression as well as autism established in a clinical interview
* Mastering the Swedish language enough to take part of the treatment
* Willingness/ability to participate after receiving information about what participation entails

Exclusion Criteria:

* Assessed to meet one of the following diagnoses: Bipolar syndrome, alcohol use syndrome, substance use syndromes, psychotic symptoms and affective syndromes with psychotic symptoms and antisocial personality disorder.
* Assessed to have a high suicide risk.
* Assessed to have extensive self-harm behavior or moderate to high risk of such.
* Participating in other psychological treatment or about to start such treatment during the time interval of the study.
* Has not had stable medication in the last month or is planning a deposit/medication adjustment during the time interval of the study.

Where it's running

• PRIMA Child and Youth Psychiatry, Handen
  Haninge, Stockholm County, Sweden Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Timo Hursti, Ph.D. — Uppsala University
• Study coordinator: Timo Hursti, Ph.D.
• Email: timo.hursti@psyk.uu.se
• Phone: 46 184717842

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.