Mobile app support for parents of children with autism
A Mobile Phone App-based Intervention for Supporting and Empowering Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): a Randomised Waitlist-controlled Trial
This study tests a new mobile app designed to help Chinese parents of children with autism feel less stressed and more confident in their parenting through mindfulness training over six weeks.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 700 (estimated) |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Chinese University of Hong Kong Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hong Kong) |
| Trial ID | NCT05927116 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study evaluates a 6-week mobile app-based intervention designed to empower Chinese parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) through mindfulness training and psychoeducation. The intervention aims to reduce parental stress and improve mood symptoms, mindfulness attitudes, and parenting competence. Parents will be randomized into an immediate intervention group or a waitlist control group, with outcomes measured through self-reported questionnaires before, immediately after, and two months post-intervention. The app is tailored to meet the specific needs of participants, and qualitative feedback will be collected to refine the app for future use.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Chinese parents living in Hong Kong who are the primary caregivers of children diagnosed with ASD and aged 12 or younger.
Not a fit: Parents who are not the main caregivers of their ASD children or those currently receiving psychological interventions may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly reduce stress and improve the well-being of parents raising children with ASD.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using digital interventions for parental support in similar contexts, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Chinese parents living in Hong Kong * Parents caring for ASD children, diagnosed by clinicians according to the criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria and aged ≤12 * Recruited from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric clinic at the Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, a regional hospital providing the sole public child and adolescent psychiatric service in the New-Territory East Cluster of the Hospital Authority in Hong Kong * Able to read and understand Cantonese * Have access to an internet-enabled mobile phone with a valid phone number for the duration of the trial Exclusion Criteria: * Parents who are not the main carer of their ASD children * Currently receiving psychological interventions * Undergoing mindfulness training will be excluded
Where this trial is running
Hong Kong
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong — Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Oscar Wong, MBChB — Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Study coordinator: Oscar Wong, MBChB
- Email: oscarwhwong@cuhk.edu.hk
- Phone: +85261129895
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.