.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
Return
Neuroplasticity-Based Targeted Cognitive Training as Enhancement to Social Skills Program: A Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating a Novel Digital Application for Autistic Adolescents
.png){kind=icon}
PRE
AI
T
V
H
L
B
J
DOI：10.1016/j.jaacop.2025.11.003.png)
.png){kind=icon}
Original request for help.png){kind=icon}
Share.png){kind=icon}
Save
Abstract
En 中文
Objective: Few evidence-based social cognitive interventions are available to autistic youth as they navigate their complex, socially demanding teenage years. Building from pilot research using neuroplasticity-based targeted cognitive training, CICADAS (Care Improving Cognition for ADolescents on the Autism Spectrum), a digital application (app) designed to prime the brain for socio-affective learning, was developed. In a randomized active-controlled trial with 3 comparison arms, CICADAS was evaluated as a stand-alone program and as an augmentation to evidence-based PEERS (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relationship Skills). Method: Recruiting from clinics providing PEERS, 62 adolescents (11-18 years old) with confirmed autism were enrolled. Adolescents scheduled to start PEERS were assigned using block randomization to PEERS + CICADAS (n = 22) and PEERS + Active Control (n = 21) groups. A third comparison group (n = 19) comprised adolescents who used the app as a stand-alone intervention (CICADAS only). In addition to in-app performance metrics, data were collected from social, behavioral, and cognitive assessments (self-report/parent-report measures) at preintervention (baseline), postintervention (16 weeks), and follow-up (32 weeks) sessions. Results: Significant effects of group, time, and group & times; time interaction were found on multiple measures collected longitudinally. For example, on the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, PEERS + CICADAS participants showed significant psychosocial health improvements (F = 6.862, p = .002) over the study timeline compared with trend level gains in the CICADAS only (F = 2.150, p = .122) and PEERS + Active Control (F = 1.917, p = .153) groups. Whereas all participants improved from baseline on the Social Responsiveness Scale, 2nd Edition (F = 11.038, p < .001), only the PEERS + CICADAS group gained significantly (F = 3.786, p = .026) on the social cognition subscale across all 3 time points. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate the potential of CICADAS as a stand-alone intervention and suggest that engaging with the adaptive app (vs static active control) conferred an additional advantage to autistic teens participating in PEERS.
Keywords:
adolescent
autism
cognitive training
randomized controlled trial
social skills
Journal
J
IF:
0
Papers:
69
Citations:
0
Organization
Cited Papers