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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a unique theater program designed to help adults with autism improve social skills and behavior. Participants will either join the SENSE Theatre group, which uses role-play and peer interaction, or be in a waitlist control group that will eventually participate in the program. Adults diagnosed with autism who aren't currently in an educational program and can manage their behavior well in social settings might be a good fit for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants a unique opportunity to explore innovative ways to enhance social skills.

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 prior data suggests that SENSE Theatre is safe for adults with autism spectrum disorder?

Research has shown that the SENSE Theatre program, tested in several studies, aims to help people with autism improve their social skills. These studies indicate that participants receive the program well and experience better social behavior and thinking skills. No major reports of negative side effects have emerged, suggesting it is safe for participants. As a non-drug treatment, the risks are generally lower than those associated with medication. Overall, existing evidence supports the safety and potential benefits of SENSE Theatre. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about SENSE Theatre because it offers a creative, engaging approach to improving social skills in children with autism. Unlike typical behavioral therapies that rely on structured, repetitive tasks, SENSE Theatre uses a dynamic, peer-mediated theater-based intervention. This method aims to enhance social cognition and behavior through interactive play and performance, making it not only potentially more effective but also more enjoyable for participants. By involving peers in the process, it encourages natural social interactions and learning, which could lead to more meaningful and lasting improvements in social functioning.

What evidence suggests that SENSE Theatre is effective for autism?

Research has shown that SENSE Theatre®, which participants in this trial may receive, can improve social skills in people with autism. One study found that participants in this peer-supported, theatre-based program improved in understanding and interacting with others. Another study demonstrated that SENSE Theatre enhanced language skills in children with autism. These findings suggest that the structured play and role-playing in SENSE Theatre effectively enhance social and communication abilities for those on the autism spectrum. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Blythe A Corbett, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3055998/

Brief Report: Theatre as Therapy for Children with Autism ... The SENSE Theatre program was expressly designed to target the socioemotional challenges of autism by utilizing well-established behavioral intervention ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03368001

Investigating Social Competence in Youth With Autism SENSE Theatre is a peer-mediated, theatre-based intervention targeting social competence in youth with autism spectrum disorder. The 40 hour intervention is ...

3. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-023-06214-0

Investigating Social Competence in a Pilot Randomized ... The results offer preliminary support for a unique theatre-based social skills intervention for autistic adults who have few treatment options to enhance ...

4. wp0.vanderbilt.edu wp0.vanderbilt.edu/youngscientistjournal/article/the-effect-of-sense-theatre-as-a-therapy-on-language-delays-in-children-with-autism-spectrum-disorder

The effect of SENSE Theatre as a therapy on language ... The effect of SENSE Theatre as a therapy on language delays in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5633031/

Improvement in social competence using a randomized ... The efficacy of a peer-mediated, theatre-based intervention on social competence in participants with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was tested.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4193263/

Peer-Mediated Theatrical Engagement for Improving ... These results further support the findings that the SENSE Theatre intervention produces improvement in core areas of functioning for many ...

7. senselab.vkcsites.org senselab.vkcsites.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Treatment-Effects-in-Social-Cognition-and-Behavior-Following-a-Theatre-based-Intervention-for-Youth-with-Autism.pdf

Treatment Effects in Social Cognition and Behavior Following ... The study extends previous findings showing that SENSE Theatre® contributes to improvement in social cognition and behavior. Keywords: autism, ...