Guided self-help for depression in adults with autism: a feasibility study

Adults with Autism and Depression, low intensity cognitive behavioural treatment compared to treatment as usual – a feasibility study

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN54650760

Enrollment

Registered

2016-09-28

Start date

2016-10-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2023-10-23

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Depression in Adults with Autism Mental and Behavioural Disorders Depression in Adults with Autism

Interventions

Participants will be randomly allocated to Guided Self-Help or Treatment as Usual. Randomisation will be by means of an automated telephone service and will be stratified by study centre and minimise

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Adults (aged 18 years and over) 2. Clinical diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) 3. Current depressed mood

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Where Intellectual disability is known or suspected as the materials have not been developed for this group 2. Current risk of suicide such that a low intensity intervention would not be clinically appropriate 3. Psychosis 4. Current alcohol/substance dependence 5. Untreated epilepsy 6. Attendance at >6 sessions of a cognitive behavioural intervention (CBT) during the past 6 months 7. Non-English speaking

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Feasibility outcomes: 1. Proportion of adults with Autism consenting to the study is determined through recording the number of eligible participants who consent to participate 2. Proportion completing the baseline assessment and entering the randomised phase is determined through recording the number of consenting participants who complete the outcome measures at baseline 3. For those in the intervention group, the number of guided self-help sessions attended and the proportion completing 5 or more sessions is assessed through ongoing participant data collection 4. Proportion completing follow-up assessments is determined through recording the proportion of consenting participants who complete the outcome measures at 10 and 16 weeks post-randomisation Primary clinical outcome: Depression is measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression at baseline, 10, 16 and 24 weeks	—

Measure

Time frame

Feasibility outcomes: 1. Proportion of adults with Autism consenting to the study is determined through recording the number of eligible participants who consent to participate 2. Proportion completing the baseline assessment and entering the randomised phase is determined through recording the number of consenting participants who complete the outcome measures at baseline 3. For those in the intervention group, the number of guided self-help sessions attended and the proportion completing 5 or more sessions is assessed through ongoing participant data collection 4. Proportion completing follow-up assessments is determined through recording the proportion of consenting participants who complete the outcome measures at 10 and 16 weeks post-randomisation Primary clinical outcome: Depression is measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression at baseline, 10, 16 and 24 weeks

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Obsessive Compulsive symptoms are measured using the Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (OCI-R) at baseline, 10, 16 and 24 weeks 2. Levels of anxiety are measured using the General Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7) at baseline, 10, 16 and 24 weeks 3. Emotional experience will be measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) at baseline, 10, 16 and 24 weeks 4. The impact of problems on everyday life will be measured using the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) at baseline, 10, 16 and 24 weeks 5. Quality of Life is measured using the EQ-5D-L at baseline, 10, 16 and 24 weeks 6. Social function is measured using the SF-12 at baseline, 10, 16 and 24 weeks 7. Repetitive behaviours are measured using the Repetitive Behaviours Questionnaire (RBQ-2) at baseline, 10, 16 and 24 weeks 8. Rumination is measured using the Rumination Refection Questionnaire (RRQ) at baseline, 10, 16 and 24 weeks 9. Resource and Service Use is measured using a pilot Resource and Service Use questionnaire at baseline, 10, 16 and 24 weeks	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Obsessive Compulsive symptoms are measured using the Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (OCI-R) at baseline, 10, 16 and 24 weeks 2. Levels of anxiety are measured using the General Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7) at baseline, 10, 16 and 24 weeks 3. Emotional experience will be measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) at baseline, 10, 16 and 24 weeks 4. The impact of problems on everyday life will be measured using the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) at baseline, 10, 16 and 24 weeks 5. Quality of Life is measured using the EQ-5D-L at baseline, 10, 16 and 24 weeks 6. Social function is measured using the SF-12 at baseline, 10, 16 and 24 weeks 7. Repetitive behaviours are measured using the Repetitive Behaviours Questionnaire (RBQ-2) at baseline, 10, 16 and 24 weeks 8. Rumination is measured using the Rumination Refection Questionnaire (RRQ) at baseline, 10, 16 and 24 weeks 9. Resource and Service Use is measured using a pilot Resource and Service Use questionnaire at baseline, 10, 16 and 24 weeks

—

Countries

England, United Kingdom

Contacts

Public ContactAilsa;Kate Russell;Cooper

;

;;

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 25, 2026