NarraTivAS - Narrative Family Therapy in Autism Spectrum

NCT ID: NCT07246395

Last Updated: 2025-11-24

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 63 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-02-08
• Study Completion Date: 2025-12-31

Brief Summary

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties in social communication and interaction, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. While previous research has largely focused on individualized therapies and behavioral outcomes for people with autism, there remains a gap in understanding the broader effect on family systems functioning and the neurobiological changes that may occur following intervention.

This project aims to address that gap by characterizing families of individuals with autism, examining both individual and family-level variables, including their motivation to participate in Narrative Family Therapy. Participating families will be assigned to either an intervention group receiving Narrative Family Therapy or a control group engaged in a Game Theory-based approach (e.g., Stag Hunt Dilemma, Prisoner's Dilemma, War of the Sexes), designed to reflect family dynamics.

A mixed-methods approach will be employed to explore therapeutic changes across three key areas: (1) theory-of-mind brain networks, (2) narrative change, and (3) the overall well-being of family members reflected by the family functioning perceptions. Neurobiological data will be collected via functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) during an autobiographical, therapy-related task, conducted both before and after the intervention. This will be complemented by physiological measurements-including galvanic skin response (GSR), respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), and heart rate variability (HRV)-to evaluate autonomic nervous system activity.

The investigators hypothesize that Narrative Family Therapy may promote neuroplasticity and restore effective connectivity within core brain circuits associated with social cognition, particularly the amygdala, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, and temporoparietal junction. Physiological data (GSR, HRV) collected during therapy sessions will also be analyzed to measure session-level effects. Specifically, the investigators will test whether autonomic arousal decreases across sessions and whether this reduction correlates with narrative development, assessed using the Assessment System of Narrative Change (ASNC) - a qualitative method based on empirical findings in Narrative Family Therapy.

To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the therapeutic protocol, the Systemic Clinical Outcome and Routine Evaluation Scale (SCORE-15) and the Family Adaptability Cohesion Evaluation Scales IV Version (FACES-IV) will be administered. The investigators expect that the intervention will reduce mental health issues and enhance family functioning-such as communication, flexibility, and satisfaction-compared to the control group.

Overall, this study seeks to advance both scientific knowledge and clinical practice by fostering an innovative dialogue between Narrative Family Therapy and neuroscience.

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NON_RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Control Arm

The control group will receive a family-based intervention grounded in Game Theory.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Family Game Theory-based Intervention

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

The control group will receive a Family Game Theory-based approach consisting of eight sessions, each lasting 60-90 minutes and conducted without a therapist. The first four sessions are held weekly, while the remaining sessions occur monthly, followed by a final follow-up three months after the last session. This approach was designed to reflect family dynamics through three classical game theory models: the Stag Hunt, the Prisoner´s Dilemma, and the Battle of the Sexes. Each session begins with a phase in which family members are invited to share something with one another. Then, they participate in a round of non-verbal dyadic games using a tablet. Finally, they are encouraged to reflect and share what they took from the session.

Experimental Arm

The experimental group will receive Narrative Family Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder, a brief manualized intervention.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Narrative Family Therapy

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Participants in the intervention group will attend eight Narrative Family Therapy sessions, each lasting 60-90 minutes with one therapist. The first four sessions occur weekly; the remaining are monthly, with a follow-up three months after the final session. This brief, manualized therapy was developed to address the specific needs of families with autistic members. It uses sensory materials and preferred topics as entry points for therapeutic dialogue. Each session begins with the autistic individual and concludes by asking each participant to share what they took from the session. Information is presented visually (e.g., brain style profile) to match the visual strengths of individuals with autism. The intervention aims to promote narrative transformation, leading to changes in stories, relationships, and perspectives. These shifts help participants express and organize their experiences more adaptively, supporting improved interpersonal relationships and functioning.

Interventions

Narrative Family Therapy

Participants in the intervention group will attend eight Narrative Family Therapy sessions, each lasting 60-90 minutes with one therapist. The first four sessions occur weekly; the remaining are monthly, with a follow-up three months after the final session. This brief, manualized therapy was developed to address the specific needs of families with autistic members. It uses sensory materials and preferred topics as entry points for therapeutic dialogue. Each session begins with the autistic individual and concludes by asking each participant to share what they took from the session. Information is presented visually (e.g., brain style profile) to match the visual strengths of individuals with autism. The intervention aims to promote narrative transformation, leading to changes in stories, relationships, and perspectives. These shifts help participants express and organize their experiences more adaptively, supporting improved interpersonal relationships and functioning.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Family Game Theory-based Intervention

The control group will receive a Family Game Theory-based approach consisting of eight sessions, each lasting 60-90 minutes and conducted without a therapist. The first four sessions are held weekly, while the remaining sessions occur monthly, followed by a final follow-up three months after the last session. This approach was designed to reflect family dynamics through three classical game theory models: the Stag Hunt, the Prisoner´s Dilemma, and the Battle of the Sexes. Each session begins with a phase in which family members are invited to share something with one another. Then, they participate in a round of non-verbal dyadic games using a tablet. Finally, they are encouraged to reflect and share what they took from the session.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Families of children, adolescents and/or young adults with ages ranging from 8 to 18 years;
• Children, adolescents and/or young adults with a primary diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, verbally fluent, and without intellectual impairment (intelligence quotient above 70 as measured by the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children or Adults - 3rd Edition, WISC-III or WAIS-III).
• Nuclear intact, divorced, large, and single-parent families.

Exclusion Criteria

• Participants with brain injury, alcoholism, drug abuse, active psychosis, homicidal/suicidal ideation, and personality disorder.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 8 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

University of Coimbra

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Miguel Castelo-Branco

Full Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra

Coimbra, , Portugal

Countries

Portugal

Other Identifiers

2021.05559.BD

Identifier Type: OTHER_GRANT

Identifier Source: secondary_id

UID/4950/2025

Identifier Type: OTHER_GRANT

Identifier Source: secondary_id

NarraTivASD01CIBIT

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id