Three-arm, randomized controlled study to assess the effects of FASTER and SCOTT trainings for adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

• Applicant: Professor Ludger Tebartz van Elst, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Clinical Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Term: since 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 416608729

The goal of the 24-month continuation application is to compensate for the pandemic-related delay in recruitment and implementation of the three-arm randomized controlled trial in autism with functional language and no intelligence impairment. The Freiburg Autism-Specific Therapy for Adults (FASTER), a manualized group psychotherapy, and the manualized computer-based training program SCOTT&EVA will be compared to a control group TAU (treatment as usual). Both interventions will run for eight months, with weekly sessions (FASTER) or weekly training (SCOTT&EVA) in the first four months between two measurement time points (primary measurement period) and monthly sessions in the following four months (follow-up). The first study inclusion should have taken place in May 2020. Due to the corona pandemic, this was prohibited. To cope with pandemic-related difficulties, both forms of therapy were proactively switched from face-to-face therapy (FASTER) and face-to-face supervision (SCOTT&EVA) to a videoconference-based solution. This work took place during the pandemic-related interruption period after consultation with the DFG, the Ethics Committee, the data protection, and the DSM of the study. This involved considerable effort (adapted manuals, data protection, technology, ethics votes, specific on-site requirements, etc.). In consequence, this is the first time in Germany and worldwide that the effects of video-assisted psychotherapy for autism can be systematically evaluated. Another positive effect of this format is the much larger catchment area, since it is no longer necessary to be on site for the therapy sessions. The first study enrollment could now start after approvals in March 2021 with a delay of about one year. The study has been running very successfully at all centers since then and till the end of June 2022 50% of participants will be included. However, again due to the pandemic, delays in further inclusion of about 11 months are to be expected, mainly due to high staff shortages, and this despite high interest and no lack of interested subjects. This leads to additional costs, the financial compensation of which would enable the completion of the currently very well running, internationally unique study on a clinically important topic with very high discursive and media attention.

• DFG Programme: Clinical Trials
• Co-Investigator: Professorin Dr. Isabel Dziobek