Telehealth Intervention for Infants With Prodromes of ASD
NCT ID: NCT06817746
Last Updated: 2025-02-10
Study Results
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Basic Information
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RECRUITING
NA
132 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2024-11-01
2027-08-31
Brief Summary
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Early prodromal signs of ASD emerge during the first year of life, a time when brain plasticity is at its maximum level, and may consist of diminished social orienting, responsivity and reciprocity combined with the presence of prolonged visual fixation and repetitive use of objects. Developmental immaturities in communication and motor skills are often present too. Pre-emptive Intervention (PI) for infants with prodromal signs of ASD was shown to improve outcomes, in comparison to later starts, by improving developmental skills, reducing ASD symptoms and, in some cases, preventing the full blown symptoms of ASD. Moreover, access to early evidence-based interventions may reduce the elevated levels of stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms experienced by caregivers of children with signs of ASD.
Despite this evidence, professionals tend to have a 'wait to see' approach, rather than targeting areas of impairment with early intervention. Moreover, the vast majority of current clinical models of ASD services require a diagnosis to receive services, while the identification of prodromal signs of the disorders generally is not sufficient to access early intervention. There is an urgent need for a paradigm shift in ASD treatment.
The proposed Project aims to evaluate the efficacy of FIRRST, a parent-mediated PI for infants with early signs of ASD. We will conduct a multisite RCT of telehealth PI by recruiting 132 symptomatic infants between 9-14 months and randomly assigning them to receive either FIRSST (experimental group), or Parent Education (control group). Developmental skills, ASD symptomatology, caregiver well-being and brain changes on High-Density EEG will be assessed with in-presence evaluations at three time points: 1. baseline; 2. after 24 weeks of intervention; 3. follow-up after 24 weeks from the end of intervention.
If funded, The proposed study will be the first well-powered RCT evaluating developmental, symptom and neurophysiological changes in response to a parent-mediated PI conducted in Europe. The ultimate goal for translational research in ASD lies in the optimization of clinical outcomes through the most effective, targeted, and timely treatments. The proposed RCT has the potential to significantly impact current access to services by reducing the age of starting intervention, thereby promoting optimal developmental outcomes, as well as reducing burden and high health costs to families and society.
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Detailed Description
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Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
PREVENTION
SINGLE
Study Groups
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FIRRST
FIRRST is based on the principles of Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs), and more specifically on the principles of Infant Start and iBASIS. FIRRST targets ASD prodromes including diminished eye contact, diminished communicative intent, diminished social orientation, and unusual pattern of object exploration. Additionally, it also targets motor immaturity, frequent in infants at risk for ASD. FIRRST is a systemic approach, integrated within the family dynamics and culture. The program will address the five elements identified in efficacious very early intervention: 1) parent involvement, 2) frequency and length of intervention, 3) individualized, developmentally appropriate activities, 4) beginning the interventions as early as possible, and 5) increasing parental sensitivity and responsivity to infant cues. FIRRST will be delivered by experienced licensed health professionals trained by the developer of the intervention.
FIRRST
FIRRST is based on the principles of Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs), and more specifically on the principles of Infant Start and iBASIS. FIRRST targets ASD prodromes including diminished eye contact, diminished communicative intent, diminished social orientation, and unusual pattern of object exploration. Additionally, it also targets motor immaturity, frequent in infants at risk for ASD. FIRRST is a systemic approach, integrated within the family dynamics and culture. The program will address the five elements identified in efficacious very early intervention: 1) parent involvement, 2) frequency and length of intervention, 3) individualized, developmentally appropriate activities, 4) beginning the interventions as early as possible, and 5) increasing parental sensitivity and responsivity to infant cues. FIRRST will be delivered by experienced licensed health professionals trained by the developer of the intervention.
Parent Education
Families will receive written educational material focused on supporting child development and targeting ASD specific immaturities and atypicalities. Additionally, parent education families will receive counseling once per month for 6 months delivered by a licensed health professional aiming at supporting the family well being and helping the family to connect with the local public health services.
Parent Education
Families will receive written educational material focused on supporting child development and targeting ASD specific immaturities and atypicalities. Additionally, parent education families will receive counseling once per month for 6 months delivered by a licensed health professional aiming at supporting the family well being and helping the family to connect with the local public health services.
Interventions
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FIRRST
FIRRST is based on the principles of Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs), and more specifically on the principles of Infant Start and iBASIS. FIRRST targets ASD prodromes including diminished eye contact, diminished communicative intent, diminished social orientation, and unusual pattern of object exploration. Additionally, it also targets motor immaturity, frequent in infants at risk for ASD. FIRRST is a systemic approach, integrated within the family dynamics and culture. The program will address the five elements identified in efficacious very early intervention: 1) parent involvement, 2) frequency and length of intervention, 3) individualized, developmentally appropriate activities, 4) beginning the interventions as early as possible, and 5) increasing parental sensitivity and responsivity to infant cues. FIRRST will be delivered by experienced licensed health professionals trained by the developer of the intervention.
Parent Education
Families will receive written educational material focused on supporting child development and targeting ASD specific immaturities and atypicalities. Additionally, parent education families will receive counseling once per month for 6 months delivered by a licensed health professional aiming at supporting the family well being and helping the family to connect with the local public health services.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Italian as one of the languages spoken at home;
* age below 18 months (corrected) at the time of identification;
* available device with webcam and home internet access.
Exclusion Criteria
* severe visual, auditory and/or motor impairment.
9 Months
17 Months
ALL
No
Sponsors
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Policlinico Hospital/University of Messina
UNKNOWN
CNR Messina
UNKNOWN
Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
OTHER
IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Principal Investigators
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Andrea Guzzetta, MD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
University of Pisa/IRCCS Stella Maris
Sara Calderoni, MD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
University of Pisa/IRCCS Stella Maris
Costanza Colombi, PhD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
IRCCS Stella Maris
Lilian Ruta, MD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
CNR Messina
Gabriella Di Rosa, MD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
University of Messina
Michale Lombardo, PhD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Istituto Italiano Tecnologia
Locations
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IRCCS Stella Maris
Pisa, Italy, Italy
Istituto Italiano Tecnologia
Rovereto, Italy, Italy
CNR
Messina, , Italy
University of Messina
Messina, , Italy
Countries
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Central Contacts
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Facility Contacts
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References
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Xiao Y, Wen TH, Kupis L, Eyler LT, Taluja V, Troxel J, Goel D, Lombardo MV, Pierce K, Courchesne E. Atypical functional connectivity of temporal cortex with precuneus and visual regions may be an early-age signature of ASD. Mol Autism. 2023 Mar 10;14(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s13229-023-00543-8.
Bertelsen N, Landi I, Bethlehem RAI, Seidlitz J, Busuoli EM, Mandelli V, Satta E, Trakoshis S, Auyeung B, Kundu P, Loth E, Dumas G, Baumeister S, Beckmann CF, Bolte S, Bourgeron T, Charman T, Durston S, Ecker C, Holt RJ, Johnson MH, Jones EJH, Mason L, Meyer-Lindenberg A, Moessnang C, Oldehinkel M, Persico AM, Tillmann J, Williams SCR, Spooren W, Murphy DGM, Buitelaar JK; EU-AIMS LEAP group; Baron-Cohen S, Lai MC, Lombardo MV. Imbalanced social-communicative and restricted repetitive behavior subtypes of autism spectrum disorder exhibit different neural circuitry. Commun Biol. 2021 May 14;4(1):574. doi: 10.1038/s42003-021-02015-2.
Loth E, Charman T, Mason L, Tillmann J, Jones EJH, Wooldridge C, Ahmad J, Auyeung B, Brogna C, Ambrosino S, Banaschewski T, Baron-Cohen S, Baumeister S, Beckmann C, Brammer M, Brandeis D, Bolte S, Bourgeron T, Bours C, de Bruijn Y, Chakrabarti B, Crawley D, Cornelissen I, Acqua FD, Dumas G, Durston S, Ecker C, Faulkner J, Frouin V, Garces P, Goyard D, Hayward H, Ham LM, Hipp J, Holt RJ, Johnson MH, Isaksson J, Kundu P, Lai MC, D'ardhuy XL, Lombardo MV, Lythgoe DJ, Mandl R, Meyer-Lindenberg A, Moessnang C, Mueller N, O'Dwyer L, Oldehinkel M, Oranje B, Pandina G, Persico AM, Ruigrok ANV, Ruggeri B, Sabet J, Sacco R, Caceres ASJ, Simonoff E, Toro R, Tost H, Waldman J, Williams SCR, Zwiers MP, Spooren W, Murphy DGM, Buitelaar JK. The EU-AIMS Longitudinal European Autism Project (LEAP): design and methodologies to identify and validate stratification biomarkers for autism spectrum disorders. Mol Autism. 2017 Jun 23;8:24. doi: 10.1186/s13229-017-0146-8. eCollection 2017.
Garces P, Baumeister S, Mason L, Chatham CH, Holiga S, Dukart J, Jones EJH, Banaschewski T, Baron-Cohen S, Bolte S, Buitelaar JK, Durston S, Oranje B, Persico AM, Beckmann CF, Bougeron T, Dell'Acqua F, Ecker C, Moessnang C, Charman T, Tillmann J, Murphy DGM, Johnson M, Loth E, Brandeis D, Hipp JF; EU-AIMS LEAP group authorship. Resting state EEG power spectrum and functional connectivity in autism: a cross-sectional analysis. Mol Autism. 2022 May 18;13(1):22. doi: 10.1186/s13229-022-00500-x.
Santocchi E, Guiducci L, Fulceri F, Billeci L, Buzzigoli E, Apicella F, Calderoni S, Grossi E, Morales MA, Muratori F. Gut to brain interaction in Autism Spectrum Disorders: a randomized controlled trial on the role of probiotics on clinical, biochemical and neurophysiological parameters. BMC Psychiatry. 2016 Jun 4;16:183. doi: 10.1186/s12888-016-0887-5.
Aiello S, Leonardi E, Cerasa A, Servidio R, Fama FI, Carrozza C, Campisi A, Marino F, Scifo R, Baieli S, Corpina F, Tartarisco G, Vagni D, Pioggia G, Ruta L. Video-Feedback Approach Improves Parental Compliance to Early Behavioral Interventions in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pilot Investigation. Children (Basel). 2022 Nov 8;9(11):1710. doi: 10.3390/children9111710.
Whitehouse AJO, Varcin KJ, Pillar S, Billingham W, Alvares GA, Barbaro J, Bent CA, Blenkley D, Boutrus M, Chee A, Chetcuti L, Clark A, Davidson E, Dimov S, Dissanayake C, Doyle J, Grant M, Green CC, Harrap M, Iacono T, Matys L, Maybery M, Pope DF, Renton M, Rowbottam C, Sadka N, Segal L, Slonims V, Smith J, Taylor C, Wakeling S, Wan MW, Wray J, Cooper MN, Green J, Hudry K. Effect of Preemptive Intervention on Developmental Outcomes Among Infants Showing Early Signs of Autism: A Randomized Clinical Trial of Outcomes to Diagnosis. JAMA Pediatr. 2021 Nov 1;175(11):e213298. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.3298. Epub 2021 Nov 1.
Rogers SJ, Vismara L, Wagner AL, McCormick C, Young G, Ozonoff S. Autism treatment in the first year of life: a pilot study of infant start, a parent-implemented intervention for symptomatic infants. J Autism Dev Disord. 2014 Dec;44(12):2981-95. doi: 10.1007/s10803-014-2202-y.
Lombardo MV, Busuoli EM, Schreibman L, Stahmer AC, Pramparo T, Landi I, Mandelli V, Bertelsen N, Barnes CC, Gazestani V, Lopez L, Bacon EC, Courchesne E, Pierce K. Pre-treatment clinical and gene expression patterns predict developmental change in early intervention in autism. Mol Psychiatry. 2021 Dec;26(12):7641-7651. doi: 10.1038/s41380-021-01239-2. Epub 2021 Aug 2.
Bosl WJ, Tager-Flusberg H, Nelson CA. EEG Analytics for Early Detection of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A data-driven approach. Sci Rep. 2018 May 1;8(1):6828. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-24318-x.
Jones W, Klin A. Attention to eyes is present but in decline in 2-6-month-old infants later diagnosed with autism. Nature. 2013 Dec 19;504(7480):427-31. doi: 10.1038/nature12715. Epub 2013 Nov 6.
Study Documents
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Document Type: Study Protocol
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Related Info
Other Identifiers
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FIRRST_VIITA
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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