SENSE Theatre for Autism

Overseen By Blythe A Corbett, Ph.D.

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Disqualifiers: Intellectual impairment, Uncontrolled aggression, Suicidality, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 21

Duration: 11 weeks

72 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests SENSE Theatre®, a program that uses acting to help adults with autism improve their social skills. It focuses on practicing face recognition and social interactions through repeated role-playing activities. The goal is to see if these improvements last. SENSE Theatre® is a novel intervention that combines trained peers to facilitate performance-based theatrical treatment in a supportive, community-based environment.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It would be best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment SENSE Theatre for autism?

Research shows that SENSE Theatre, a theater-based program, helps children with autism improve their social skills and communication. Studies found that after participating in SENSE Theatre, children engaged more in group play, interacted better with peers, and reported feeling less anxious. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the SENSE Theatre treatment unique for autism?

SENSE Theatre is unique because it uses a peer-mediated, theater-based approach to improve social skills in children with autism, focusing on role-playing and performance with trained peers in a supportive environment. This method enhances social communication, face memory, and reduces anxiety, which differs from traditional interventions that may not incorporate theatrical elements or peer interaction. ^{1 3 4 5 6}

Research Team

Blythe A Corbett, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who are not in educational programs. They must have an IQ of 70 or above, be diagnosed by a specialist confirmed with ADOS-2, and show interest in improving social skills. Excluded are those with suicidal tendencies, uncontrolled aggression, intellectual impairment below the set IQ threshold, or previous SENSE Theatre participants.

Inclusion Criteria

ASD diagnosis corroborated by the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2)

Peers must be typically developing individuals with no neurodevelopmental disorder

Care-giver must live in close proximity to and have frequent contact with the participant with ASD

Exclusion Criteria

Previous SENSE Theatre® participants

Confederates not meeting inclusion criteria

Adults with ASD with intellectual impairment (WASI score < 70)

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive the SENSE Theatre® intervention, which includes peer-mediated, theatre-based activities to improve social cognition and behavior

11 weeks

Weekly sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for maintenance of treatment effects on social communication and face memory

10 weeks

Follow-up assessments at Week 21

Treatment Details

Interventions

• SENSE Theatre

Trial Overview SENSE Theatre is being tested as an intervention to improve social competence in adults with ASD. It uses peer models, scripted and improvised role-play from theatre techniques to enhance social cognition and behavior through repeated practice.

Participant Groups

Group I: SENSE Theatre Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A peer-mediated, theatre-based intervention designed to improve social cognition and behavior.

Group II: Waitlist Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

This group will not receive the intervention during the testing phase of the intervention but will eventually receive the theatre intervention.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

922

Recruited

939,000+

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator

Trials

3,007

Recruited

2,852,000+

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peers, play, and performance to build social salience in autistic youth: A multisite randomized clinical trial. [2023]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Choosing Performance-Based Outcome Measures of Daily Living Skills and Socialization for Clinical Trials in Autistic Children. [2022]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment Effects in Social Cognition and Behavior following a Theater-based Intervention for Youth with Autism. [2020]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peer-mediated theatrical engagement for improving reciprocal social interaction in autism spectrum disorder. [2021]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peer Actors and Theater Techniques Play Pivotal Roles in Improving Social Play and Anxiety for Children With Autism. [2020]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Immersive Theater Experience for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. [2021]