A Randomized Clinical Trial of Cognitive Enhancement Therapy for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Abstract
This project is focused on conducting the first randomized-controlled trial of Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET) in 54 verbal adults with autism spectrum disorders, and assessing the efficacy of this approach in comparison to an active Enriched Supportive Therapy (EST) intervention. Major findings to date include: 1) considerable and broad cognitive impairments prior to treatment in the ASD adults enrolled in this trial (n = 54), 2) significant improvements associated with CET in ameliorating these cognitive impairments and improving adaptive function, including employment, and 3) evidence of the neuroplastic effects of CET on brain function in support of cognitive enhancement in adult autism. Analyses of treatment effects to date suggest a significant advantage of CET for improving neurocognition (d = .83), social cognition (d = .49), major role function (d = .73), and employment (d = .58) compared to the EST control condition. In addition, analyses of changes in brain function with CET compared EST. These findings suggest both the need and potential for CET to be a significant treatment advance for verbal adults with autism. Importantly, improvements were found in daily life function and in brain circuitry supporting core abilities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1002968
Entities
People
- Nancy J. Minshew
- Shaun M Eack
Organizations
- University of Pittsburgh