SOSTA net: Group-based social skills training in children and adolescents with high functioning autism spectrum disorder

Randomised multicentre controlled trial of group-based social skills training in children and adolescents with high functioning autism spectrum disorder (SOSTA-Net)

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN94863788

Enrollment

220

Registered

2010-08-12

Start date

2010-05-07

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2016-10-17

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

Conditions

Autism spectrum disorder (high functioning) Mental and Behavioural Disorders Autism

Interventions

1. Experimental intervention: 1.1. Weekly group-based manualised, social skills training of 12 sessions 1.2. 3 x parent training 1.3. Add-on therapy to treatment as usual (TAU) 2. Control interventi

TAU without group therapy or waiting list

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. High-functioning autism (F84.0) 2. Asperger syndrome (F84.5) 3. Atypical autism (F84.1) 4. Aged 8 - 20 years, either sex 5. Informed consent 6. No or stable psychopharmacotherapy

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Intelligence quotient (IQ) less than 70 2. Schizophrenia 3. Social phobia 4. Obsessive-compulsive disorder 5. Major depressive episode with suicidal ideation 6. Aggressive behaviour interfering with group therapy 7. Any personality disorder 8. Neurological disorder (exception: well treated epilepsy) 9. Other medical disorder interfering with therapy 10. Group-based SST during last 6 months prior to study

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Change in total raw score of the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) as assessed by the primary caretaker (PC), measured: 1. Between baseline and end of intervention 2. Between baseline and 3 months after end of intervention	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Measured 0 and 3 months after end of intervention: 1. Response to intervention: Individual symptom reduction of at least 16 raw points in SRS total score (PC and teacher [T] assessment) 2. Change in SRS total raw score (T) 3. Change in SRS subscale raw scores (PC, T) 4. Change in anxious-depressive symptoms (CBCL:PC) 5. Change in total psychopathology, pro-social behaviour, and peer related problems (SDQ: PC, T) 6. Change in depressive symptoms (DIKJ, self assessment) 7. Motivation and satisfaction with therapy (self assessment) 8. Change in neuronal function during cognitive and affective empathy tasks 9. Assessment of genetic variants and medication as possible mediating variables of therapeutic effect 10. Assessment of safety: serious adverse and adverse events will be documented	—

Measure

Time frame

Measured 0 and 3 months after end of intervention: 1. Response to intervention: Individual symptom reduction of at least 16 raw points in SRS total score (PC and teacher [T] assessment) 2. Change in SRS total raw score (T) 3. Change in SRS subscale raw scores (PC, T) 4. Change in anxious-depressive symptoms (CBCL:PC) 5. Change in total psychopathology, pro-social behaviour, and peer related problems (SDQ: PC, T) 6. Change in depressive symptoms (DIKJ, self assessment) 7. Motivation and satisfaction with therapy (self assessment) 8. Change in neuronal function during cognitive and affective empathy tasks 9. Assessment of genetic variants and medication as possible mediating variables of therapeutic effect 10. Assessment of safety: serious adverse and adverse events will be documented

—

Countries

Germany

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Mar 24, 2026