Trial Outcomes & Findings for Efficacy of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy With Autism Spectrum Disorder (NCT NCT02088905)

NCT ID: NCT02088905

Last Updated: 2019-03-22

Results Overview

Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI). For families receiving PCIT training, the ECBI will be completed at screen, at each PCIT training visit and at the 12-week post-treatment visit. Wait-list control families will complete the ECBI at screen as well as at weeks 9 and 18. Reported week 9. The ECBI contains the Intensity Score calculated from 36 items rated on frequency of behavior from 1 (Never) to 7 (Always). Intensity score range is 36-252, with higher scores indicating a higher frequency of problem behaviors. The ECBI contains the Problem Score calculated from 36 items rated on whether the particular behavior is considered by the to be a problem (yes) or not (no). Problem score range is 0-36, with higher scores indicating a higher frequency of problem behaviors.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

25 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Week 9

Results posted on

2019-03-22

Participant Flow

Recruitment began June 2014, with clinicians at the Merck Center for Autism and Developmental Disorders or from the Child Development Unit bringing up the study to patients. 140 subjects were excluded during phone screen. 77 did not meet inclusion criteria, 39 declined consent due to high burden of time/procedures, 24 refused for other reasons.

Two subjects of the originally enrolled 25 were discovered to have not met inclusion criteria. Upon the discovery, they were removed from the study and not randomized to any study condition.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Parent Child Interaction Therapy
Families will either receive Parent Child Interaction Therapy or be placed on a wait-list control group Parent Child Interaction Therapy: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a research-supported parent coaching intervention that has been found to be highly effective among typically developing preschoolers presenting with a range of mental health concerns, especially defiance and noncompliance.6 PCIT holds considerable promise as a potentially effective treatment for children with ASD because it directly addresses the behaviors parents of children with ASD report to be most problematic for them - defiance, stubbornness, and temper tantrums. PCIT is theoretically consistent with other approaches that have shown promise in treating ASD (i.e., behaviorally-based); however, PCIT is unique in that it incorporates a socially-based initial phase which may have some unique benefits for children with ASD.
Wait List Control
Families will wait 18 weeks for treatment, serving as controls.
Overall Study
STARTED
13
10
Overall Study
Week 9
10
9
Overall Study
COMPLETED
8
9
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
5
1

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Parent Child Interaction Therapy
Families will either receive Parent Child Interaction Therapy or be placed on a wait-list control group Parent Child Interaction Therapy: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a research-supported parent coaching intervention that has been found to be highly effective among typically developing preschoolers presenting with a range of mental health concerns, especially defiance and noncompliance.6 PCIT holds considerable promise as a potentially effective treatment for children with ASD because it directly addresses the behaviors parents of children with ASD report to be most problematic for them - defiance, stubbornness, and temper tantrums. PCIT is theoretically consistent with other approaches that have shown promise in treating ASD (i.e., behaviorally-based); however, PCIT is unique in that it incorporates a socially-based initial phase which may have some unique benefits for children with ASD.
Wait List Control
Families will wait 18 weeks for treatment, serving as controls.
Overall Study
Withdrawal by Subject
5
1

Baseline Characteristics

Missing data for one participant

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Parent Child Interaction Therapy
n=13 Participants
Families will either receive Parent Child Interaction Therapy or be placed on a wait-list control group Parent Child Interaction Therapy: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a research-supported parent coaching intervention that has been found to be highly effective among typically developing preschoolers presenting with a range of mental health concerns, especially defiance and noncompliance.6 PCIT holds considerable promise as a potentially effective treatment for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder because it directly addresses the behaviors parents of children with ASD report to be most problematic for them - defiance, stubbornness, and temper tantrums. PCIT is theoretically consistent with other approaches that have shown promise in treating ASD (i.e., behaviorally-based); however, PCIT is unique in that it incorporates a socially-based initial phase which may have some unique benefits for children with ASD.
Wait List Control
n=10 Participants
Families will wait 18 weeks for treatment, serving as controls.
Total
n=23 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
63.62 months
STANDARD_DEVIATION 17.08 • n=13 Participants
67.0 months
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16.31 • n=10 Participants
65.087 months
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16.45631 • n=23 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
1 Participants
n=13 Participants
1 Participants
n=10 Participants
2 Participants
n=23 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
12 Participants
n=13 Participants
9 Participants
n=10 Participants
21 Participants
n=23 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
African American
1 Participants
n=13 Participants
0 Participants
n=10 Participants
1 Participants
n=23 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Asian
1 Participants
n=13 Participants
0 Participants
n=10 Participants
1 Participants
n=23 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Caucasian
11 Participants
n=13 Participants
10 Participants
n=10 Participants
21 Participants
n=23 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Hispanic
0 Participants
n=13 Participants
0 Participants
n=10 Participants
0 Participants
n=23 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Native American
0 Participants
n=13 Participants
0 Participants
n=10 Participants
0 Participants
n=23 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Mixed Race
0 Participants
n=13 Participants
0 Participants
n=10 Participants
0 Participants
n=23 Participants
Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test
97.83 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.27 • n=12 Participants • Missing data for one participant
105.20 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16.24 • n=10 Participants • Missing data for one participant
101.18 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.81 • n=22 Participants • Missing data for one participant
Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
93.38 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.68 • n=13 Participants
103.60 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 21.29 • n=10 Participants
97.83 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 19.02 • n=23 Participants
Parental Stress Index
PSI Defensive Responding
19.62 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.55 • n=13 Participants
19.30 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.88 • n=10 Participants
19.48 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.01 • n=23 Participants
Parental Stress Index
Parent Distress Subscale Score
32.31 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.38 • n=13 Participants
31.30 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.25 • n=10 Participants
31.87 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.56 • n=23 Participants
Parental Stress Index
Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction Subscale Sc
32.54 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.58 • n=13 Participants
28.80 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.68 • n=10 Participants
30.91 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.11 • n=23 Participants
Parental Stress Index
Difficult Child Subscale Score
43.15 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.71 • n=13 Participants
40.80 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.83 • n=10 Participants
42.13 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.19 • n=23 Participants
Parental Stress Index
Total Stress
108.00 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 18.75 • n=13 Participants
101.00 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 22.32 • n=10 Participants
104.96 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 20.20 • n=23 Participants
Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory
Intensity
166.00 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 29.8 • n=13 Participants
157.30 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 21.0 • n=10 Participants
162.22 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 26.1 • n=23 Participants
Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory
Problem
19.46 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.56 • n=13 Participants
20.00 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.66 • n=10 Participants
19.70 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.29 • n=23 Participants
Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding
Positive Skills
6.67 Frequency of Behavior
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.23 • n=12 Participants • Data missing for one participant
8.30 Frequency of Behavior
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.13 • n=10 Participants • Data missing for one participant
7.41 Frequency of Behavior
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.11 • n=22 Participants • Data missing for one participant
Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding
Negative Skills
73.92 Frequency of Behavior
STANDARD_DEVIATION 21.66 • n=12 Participants • Data missing for one participant
97.10 Frequency of Behavior
STANDARD_DEVIATION 27.60 • n=10 Participants • Data missing for one participant
84.45 Frequency of Behavior
STANDARD_DEVIATION 26.68 • n=22 Participants • Data missing for one participant
Social Responsiveness Scale 2
SRS Total Raw Score
99.08 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 24.65 • n=13 Participants
88.30 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 21.74 • n=10 Participants
94.39 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 23.55 • n=23 Participants
Social Responsiveness Scale 2
SRS Awareness Raw Score
13.62 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.75 • n=13 Participants
12.20 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.77 • n=10 Participants
13.00 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.23 • n=23 Participants
Social Responsiveness Scale 2
SRS Cognition Raw Score
17.92 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.96 • n=13 Participants
15.10 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.54 • n=10 Participants
16.70 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.16 • n=23 Participants
Social Responsiveness Scale 2
SRS Communication Raw Score
32.15 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.47 • n=13 Participants
30.40 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.86 • n=10 Participants
31.39 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.27 • n=23 Participants
Social Responsiveness Scale 2
SRS Motivation Raw Score
16.38 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.86 • n=13 Participants
12.20 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.68 • n=10 Participants
14.57 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.78 • n=23 Participants
Social Responsiveness Scale 2
SRS Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors Raw Score
19.00 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.44 • n=13 Participants
18.40 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.07 • n=10 Participants
18.74 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.12 • n=23 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 9

Population: Subjects who dropped out prior to Week 9 (2 in treatment group, 1 in wait list control) were not included in analysis.

Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI). For families receiving PCIT training, the ECBI will be completed at screen, at each PCIT training visit and at the 12-week post-treatment visit. Wait-list control families will complete the ECBI at screen as well as at weeks 9 and 18. Reported week 9. The ECBI contains the Intensity Score calculated from 36 items rated on frequency of behavior from 1 (Never) to 7 (Always). Intensity score range is 36-252, with higher scores indicating a higher frequency of problem behaviors. The ECBI contains the Problem Score calculated from 36 items rated on whether the particular behavior is considered by the to be a problem (yes) or not (no). Problem score range is 0-36, with higher scores indicating a higher frequency of problem behaviors.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Parent Child Interaction Therapy
n=10 Participants
Families will either receive Parent Child Interaction Therapy or be placed on a wait-list control group Parent Child Interaction Therapy: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a research-supported parent coaching intervention that has been found to be highly effective among typically developing preschoolers presenting with a range of mental health concerns, especially defiance and noncompliance.6 PCIT holds considerable promise as a potentially effective treatment for children with ASD because it directly addresses the behaviors parents of children with ASD report to be most problematic for them - defiance, stubbornness, and temper tantrums. PCIT is theoretically consistent with other approaches that have shown promise in treating ASD (i.e., behaviorally-based); however, PCIT is unique in that it incorporates a socially-based initial phase which may have some unique benefits for children with ASD.
Wait List Control
n=9 Participants
Families will wait 18 weeks for treatment, serving as controls.
Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory
ECBI Intensity Score
132.50 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 42.62
154.33 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 25.60
Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory
ECBI Problem Score
18.9 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 9.65
19.11 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.45

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 18

Population: Following the intent-to-treat principle, last observation carried forward for 2 subjects in treatment group who dropped out after Week 9. Subjects who dropped out prior to Week 9 (2 in treatment group, 1 in wait list control) were not included in analysis.

Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI). For families receiving PCIT training, the ECBI will be completed at screen, at each PCIT training visit and at the 12-week post-treatment visit. Wait-list control families will complete the ECBI at screen as well as at weeks 9 and 18. Reported week 18 The ECBI contains the Intensity Score calculated from 36 items rated on frequency of behavior from 1 (Never) to 7 (Always). Intensity score range is 36-252, with higher scores indicating a higher frequency of problem behaviors. The ECBI contains the Problem Score calculated from 36 items rated on whether the particular behavior is considered by the to be a problem (yes) or not (no). Problem score range is 0-36, with higher scores indicating a higher frequency of problem behaviors.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Parent Child Interaction Therapy
n=10 Participants
Families will either receive Parent Child Interaction Therapy or be placed on a wait-list control group Parent Child Interaction Therapy: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a research-supported parent coaching intervention that has been found to be highly effective among typically developing preschoolers presenting with a range of mental health concerns, especially defiance and noncompliance.6 PCIT holds considerable promise as a potentially effective treatment for children with ASD because it directly addresses the behaviors parents of children with ASD report to be most problematic for them - defiance, stubbornness, and temper tantrums. PCIT is theoretically consistent with other approaches that have shown promise in treating ASD (i.e., behaviorally-based); however, PCIT is unique in that it incorporates a socially-based initial phase which may have some unique benefits for children with ASD.
Wait List Control
n=9 Participants
Families will wait 18 weeks for treatment, serving as controls.
Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory
ECBI Intensity Score
115.20 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 41.54
148.67 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 25.25
Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory
ECBI Problem Score
14.10 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 10.54
19.67 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.00

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 18

Population: Following the intent-to-treat principle, last observation carried forward for 2 subjects in treatment group who dropped out after Week 9. Subjects who dropped out prior to Week 9 (2 in treatment group, 1 in wait list control) were not included in analysis.

Parental Stress Index-4 Short Form (PSI) is comprised of several subscales that are independently measured and also combined to create a total score. Scores are calculated from 36 questions that rated as Strongly Agree/Agree/Not Sure/Disagree/Strongly Disagree by the parents. Ratings are attached to a 5-point Likert scale. PSI Defensive Responding subscale range: 7-35. Lower scores indicate higher defensive responding from parents. For the PSI Parental Distress subscale, range 12-60. Higher scores indicate higher parental stress in the parenting. For the PSI Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction subscale, range 12-60. Higher scores indicate parents feel their child is not meeting their expectations when interacting. For the PSI Difficult Child subscale, range 12-60. Higher scores indicates parents view their child to be difficult to parent. For PSI Total Stress, range 43-215. Higher scores indicate higher stress.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Parent Child Interaction Therapy
n=10 Participants
Families will either receive Parent Child Interaction Therapy or be placed on a wait-list control group Parent Child Interaction Therapy: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a research-supported parent coaching intervention that has been found to be highly effective among typically developing preschoolers presenting with a range of mental health concerns, especially defiance and noncompliance.6 PCIT holds considerable promise as a potentially effective treatment for children with ASD because it directly addresses the behaviors parents of children with ASD report to be most problematic for them - defiance, stubbornness, and temper tantrums. PCIT is theoretically consistent with other approaches that have shown promise in treating ASD (i.e., behaviorally-based); however, PCIT is unique in that it incorporates a socially-based initial phase which may have some unique benefits for children with ASD.
Wait List Control
n=9 Participants
Families will wait 18 weeks for treatment, serving as controls.
Parental Stress Index-4 Short Form
PSI Defensive Responding
17.70 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 7.21
20.33 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.77
Parental Stress Index-4 Short Form
Parent Distress Subscale Score
29.10 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 12.28
33.44 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 9.53
Parental Stress Index-4 Short Form
Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction Subscale
28.80 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 7.98
27.44 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 7.32
Parental Stress Index-4 Short Form
Difficult Child Subscale Score
38.20 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 12.59
43.56 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.50
Parental Stress Index-4 Short Form
Total Stress
96.10 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 28.67
104.56 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 18.21

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 9

Population: Following the intent-to-treat principle, last observation carried forward for 2 subjects in treatment group who dropped out after Week 9. Subjects who dropped out prior to Week 9 (2 in treatment group, 1 in wait list control) were not included in analysis.

Social Responsiveness Scale 2nd edition (SRS-2). SRS-2 Total Score is sum of subscales, higher scores mean more impairment. Range 0-195. Social Awareness measures social awareness impairment, higher scores mean more impairment. Range 0-24. Social Cognition measures social cognition impairment, higher scores mean more impairment. Range 0-36. Social Communication measures social communication impairment, higher scores mean more impairment. Range 0-66. Social Motivation measures social motivation impairment, higher scores means more impairment. Range 0 - 33. Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors measures restricted and repetitive behaviors, with higher scores indicating more impairment. Range 0 - 36.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Parent Child Interaction Therapy
n=10 Participants
Families will either receive Parent Child Interaction Therapy or be placed on a wait-list control group Parent Child Interaction Therapy: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a research-supported parent coaching intervention that has been found to be highly effective among typically developing preschoolers presenting with a range of mental health concerns, especially defiance and noncompliance.6 PCIT holds considerable promise as a potentially effective treatment for children with ASD because it directly addresses the behaviors parents of children with ASD report to be most problematic for them - defiance, stubbornness, and temper tantrums. PCIT is theoretically consistent with other approaches that have shown promise in treating ASD (i.e., behaviorally-based); however, PCIT is unique in that it incorporates a socially-based initial phase which may have some unique benefits for children with ASD.
Wait List Control
n=9 Participants
Families will wait 18 weeks for treatment, serving as controls.
Social Responsiveness Scale 2 Score
Total Raw Score
91.20 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 34.31
92.22 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 17.65
Social Responsiveness Scale 2 Score
Awareness Raw Score
13.20 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.19
12.78 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.11
Social Responsiveness Scale 2 Score
Cognition Raw Score
15.80 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 7.30
16.00 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.04
Social Responsiveness Scale 2 Score
Communication Raw Score
30.80 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 13.31
32.78 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 7.58
Social Responsiveness Scale 2 Score
Motivation Raw Score
14.40 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.74
12.22 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.38
Social Responsiveness Scale 2 Score
Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors Raw Score
17.00 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 8.71
18.44 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 7.21

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 18

Population: Data missing from some participants. Following the intent-to-treat principle, last observation carried forward for 2 subjects in treatment group who dropped out after Week 9. Subjects who dropped out prior to Week 9 (2 in treatment group, 1 in wait list control) were not included in analysis.

Social Responsiveness Scale 2nd edition (SRS-2). SRS-2 Total Score is sum of subscales, higher scores mean more impairment. Range 0-195. Social Awareness measures social awareness impairment, higher scores mean more impairment. Range 0-24. Social Cognition measures social cognition impairment, higher scores mean more impairment. Range 0-36. Social Communication measures social communication impairment, higher scores mean more impairment. Range 0-66. Social Motivation measures social motivation impairment, higher scores means more impairment. Range 0 - 33. Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors measures restricted and repetitive behaviors, with higher scores indicating more impairment. Range 0 - 36.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Parent Child Interaction Therapy
n=10 Participants
Families will either receive Parent Child Interaction Therapy or be placed on a wait-list control group Parent Child Interaction Therapy: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a research-supported parent coaching intervention that has been found to be highly effective among typically developing preschoolers presenting with a range of mental health concerns, especially defiance and noncompliance.6 PCIT holds considerable promise as a potentially effective treatment for children with ASD because it directly addresses the behaviors parents of children with ASD report to be most problematic for them - defiance, stubbornness, and temper tantrums. PCIT is theoretically consistent with other approaches that have shown promise in treating ASD (i.e., behaviorally-based); however, PCIT is unique in that it incorporates a socially-based initial phase which may have some unique benefits for children with ASD.
Wait List Control
n=9 Participants
Families will wait 18 weeks for treatment, serving as controls.
Social Responsiveness Scale 2 Score
Total Raw Score
80.00 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 28.25
88.22 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 29.12
Social Responsiveness Scale 2 Score
Awareness Raw Score
12.40 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.67
12.11 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.65
Social Responsiveness Scale 2 Score
Cognition Raw Score
14.60 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.97
15.89 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.08
Social Responsiveness Scale 2 Score
Communication Raw Score
27.10 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 10.26
30.67 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 11.25
Social Responsiveness Scale 2 Score
Motivation Raw Score
11.10 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.38
11.44 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.59
Social Responsiveness Scale 2 Score
Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors Raw Score
14.80 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 8.38
18.11 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 8.54

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 9

Population: Following the intent-to-treat principle, last observation carried forward for 2 subjects in treatment group who dropped out after Week 9. Subjects who dropped out prior to Week 9 (2 in treatment group, 1 in wait list control) were not included in analysis.

The Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System (DPICS) codes frequency of behaviors that occur during five minutes of child-lead play, then parent-lead play, and then clean-up. Positive Skills score is the total frequency of behavioral descriptions, reflections, and labeled praise throughout the three conditions. Negative skills score is a combination of the total frequency of questions, negative talk, and indirect commands throughout all conditions, as well as direct commands during child lead play. It was expected that parents would give commands during parent-lead play or clean-up.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Parent Child Interaction Therapy
n=10 Participants
Families will either receive Parent Child Interaction Therapy or be placed on a wait-list control group Parent Child Interaction Therapy: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a research-supported parent coaching intervention that has been found to be highly effective among typically developing preschoolers presenting with a range of mental health concerns, especially defiance and noncompliance.6 PCIT holds considerable promise as a potentially effective treatment for children with ASD because it directly addresses the behaviors parents of children with ASD report to be most problematic for them - defiance, stubbornness, and temper tantrums. PCIT is theoretically consistent with other approaches that have shown promise in treating ASD (i.e., behaviorally-based); however, PCIT is unique in that it incorporates a socially-based initial phase which may have some unique benefits for children with ASD.
Wait List Control
n=9 Participants
Families will wait 18 weeks for treatment, serving as controls.
Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System Scores
Negative Skills
35.2 frequency of behaviors
Standard Deviation 14.54
81.78 frequency of behaviors
Standard Deviation 19.886
Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System Scores
Positive Skills
26.9 frequency of behaviors
Standard Deviation 16.28
5.667 frequency of behaviors
Standard Deviation 5

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 18

Population: Following the intent-to-treat principle, last observation carried forward for 2 subjects in treatment group who dropped out after Week 9. Subjects who dropped out prior to Week 9 (2 in treatment group, 1 in wait list control) were not included in analysis.

The Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System (DPICS) codes frequency of behaviors that occur during five minutes of child lead play, then parent lead play, and then clean-up. Positive Skills score was the total frequency of behavioral descriptions, reflections, and labeled praise throughout the three conditions. Negative skills score was a combination of the total frequency of questions, negative talk, and indirect commands throughout all conditions, as well as direct commands during child lead play. It was expected that parents would give commands during parent-lead play or clean-up.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Parent Child Interaction Therapy
n=10 Participants
Families will either receive Parent Child Interaction Therapy or be placed on a wait-list control group Parent Child Interaction Therapy: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a research-supported parent coaching intervention that has been found to be highly effective among typically developing preschoolers presenting with a range of mental health concerns, especially defiance and noncompliance.6 PCIT holds considerable promise as a potentially effective treatment for children with ASD because it directly addresses the behaviors parents of children with ASD report to be most problematic for them - defiance, stubbornness, and temper tantrums. PCIT is theoretically consistent with other approaches that have shown promise in treating ASD (i.e., behaviorally-based); however, PCIT is unique in that it incorporates a socially-based initial phase which may have some unique benefits for children with ASD.
Wait List Control
n=9 Participants
Families will wait 18 weeks for treatment, serving as controls.
Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System Scores
Negative Skills
22.2 counts of behaviors
Standard Deviation 14.71
76.44 counts of behaviors
Standard Deviation 24.6
Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System Scores
Positive Skills
41.4 counts of behaviors
Standard Deviation 23.98
8.11 counts of behaviors
Standard Deviation 6.29

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 9

Population: Following the intent-to-treat principle, last observation carried forward for 2 subjects in treatment group who dropped out after Week 9. Subjects who dropped out prior to Week 9 (2 in treatment group, 1 in wait list control) were not included in analysis.

Parental Stress Index-4 Short Form (PSI):Total Stress Scale, total of subscales, range 36-180, higher indicating more parental stress. Defensive Responding, range 7-35. Lower scores indicate higher defensive responding from parents. Parental Distress, range 12-60. Higher scores indicate more parental stress. Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction subscale, range 12-60. Higher scores indicate parents feel their child is not meeting their expectations when interacting. Difficult Child, range is 12-60. Higher scores indicate that parents view their child to be difficult to parent.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Parent Child Interaction Therapy
n=10 Participants
Families will either receive Parent Child Interaction Therapy or be placed on a wait-list control group Parent Child Interaction Therapy: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a research-supported parent coaching intervention that has been found to be highly effective among typically developing preschoolers presenting with a range of mental health concerns, especially defiance and noncompliance.6 PCIT holds considerable promise as a potentially effective treatment for children with ASD because it directly addresses the behaviors parents of children with ASD report to be most problematic for them - defiance, stubbornness, and temper tantrums. PCIT is theoretically consistent with other approaches that have shown promise in treating ASD (i.e., behaviorally-based); however, PCIT is unique in that it incorporates a socially-based initial phase which may have some unique benefits for children with ASD.
Wait List Control
n=9 Participants
Families will wait 18 weeks for treatment, serving as controls.
Parental Stress Index Score
PSI DR
18.80 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 7.15
19.56 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.41
Parental Stress Index Score
Parent Distress Subscale Score
31.30 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 11.20
31.44 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 8.93
Parental Stress Index Score
Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction Subscale Sc
31.30 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 9.26
28.78 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 11.65
Parental Stress Index Score
Difficult Child Subscale Score
41.30 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 10.67
41.11 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 8.45
Parental Stress Index Score
Total Stress
103.90 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 28.18
101.33 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 24.77

Adverse Events

Parent Child Interaction Therapy

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Wait List Control

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Benjamin L. Handen, PhD

University of Pittsburgh

Phone: 412-235-5445

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place