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AutismNCT05862467

A Pilot Participatory Program Evaluation of a Virtual Trauma Support Program for Autistic Adults

A study testing Written Exposure Therapy (WET) via telehealth in people with Autism and Trauma, run by University of Wyoming at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The goal of this single-group clinical trial is to learn about the initial efficacy and feasibility of telehealth-delivered Written Exposure Therapy (WET) for autistic adults with traumatic stress symptoms. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Autism, Trauma, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
What is being tested?
Written Exposure Therapy (WET) via telehealth
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
28 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
26 Oct 2023to 12 Feb 2025
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Autistic
  • Age 18 years or over
  • Has experienced trauma and reports clinically significant symptoms of traumatic stress (clinically elevated score on either Posttraumatic Symptom Checklist (PCL-5) or Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (SCID-5), and/or other self-report/interview evidence of significant traumatic stress symptoms for which participant wants support/program
  • Comfortable speaking and writing in English
  • Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) score >= 65 (given written nature of Written Exposure Therapy) on the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence-Second Edition (WASI-2)
  • Access to device with internet access for telehealth visits

Who cannot join

  • Participant is not Autistic
  • Participant is unable to understand English
  • Participant is currently receiving trauma-focused therapeutic services
  • Participant does not have access to internet connected device for telehealth visits
  • Participant receives Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) score < 65 on the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence-Second Edition (WASI-2)
  • If there are significant safety concerns for any participant (e.g., imminent risk of harm to self or other) the Principal Investigator may determine whether it is not in the adult's best interest to be enrolled given that this study does not provide care/services relating to active risk.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • University of Wyoming

    Laramie, Wyoming, 82071

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Efficacy of a Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Intervention for Autistic Adults on Biobehavioral Health

The goal of this single-group clinical trial is to learn about the initial efficacy and feasibility of telehealth-delivered Written Exposure Therapy (WET) for autistic adults with traumatic stress symptoms. The main questions the investigators aim to answer are:

  • Do symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and co-occurring mental health concerns decrease after receiving WET?
  • Do biobehavioral health outcomes, including objective (Fitbit indicators of activity, sleep, and heart rate) and subjectively-reported health variables (e.g., sleep, pain, health-related quality of life), improve after receiving WET?
  • How do autistic adults experience WET, and how can this program be modified and enhance in the future in collaboration with autistic adults?
Read more

Participants will complete the following as part of the study, which is completed entirely over telehealth.

  • Participants will first complete an initial assessment, involving brief measures of cognition and autistic traits, as well as interviews and questionnaires about PTSD, mental health, and physical health. If eligible, participants will proceed to the following steps:
  • Eligible participants will then start wearing a Fitbit, to be used for the duration of the study.
  • Participants will then participate in 5 weekly virtual visits involving the WET protocol, including weekly brief assessment of PTSD and mental and physical health.
  • Then, participants will complete a sixth virtual visit the following week where PTSD, mental and physical health, and treatment feedback are assessed.
  • Lastly, participants will complete virtual visits 1 and 6 months later involving re-assessment of PTSD and mental and physical health.

Therefore, this is a pre-post single group design, where all participants will receive WET to establish initial efficacy and feasibility. Investigators will also consult with an autistic advisory board throughout the project, and make adaptations as recommended in consultation with autistic adults. The goal is to better understand the initial efficacy and feasibility of WET for supporting autistic adults who have experienced trauma.

Being tested
Written Exposure Therapy (WET) via telehealth
Medical subject headings
Autistic Disorder, Wounds and Injuries, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Written Exposure Therapy (WET) via telehealthBehavioural

    Written Exposure Therapy (WET) via telehealth

Study groups in NCT05862467
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Written Exposure TherapyExperimentalBehavioral therapy: Written Exposure Therapy via telehealth
Receives: Behavioral: Written Exposure Therapy (WET) via telehealth

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms on the Posttraumatic Symptom Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) Scale

    The Posttraumatic Symptom Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 is a self-report questionnaire of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Total scores range from 0-80; higher scores indicate higher levels of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms.

    Measured: Change across baseline to follow-up (e.g., Baseline, End of Intervention [approximately 1 week after intervention completion], 1 month after intervention completion, and 6 months after intervention completion)

Secondary outcomes (14)
  1. Change in Depressive Symptoms on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) Scale

    The PHQ is a self-report measure of depressive symptoms. Total scores range from 0-27; higher scores reflect greater levels of depressive symptoms.

    Measured: Change across baseline to follow-up (e.g., Baseline, End of Intervention [approximately 1 week after intervention completion], 1 month after intervention completion, and 6 months after intervention completion)

  2. Change in Anxiety Symptoms on the Anxiety Scale for Autism-Adults (ASA-A)

    The Anxiety Scale for Autism-Adults (ASA-A) is a self-report measure for anxiety symptoms among autistic adults. Total scores range from 0 to 60; higher scores reflect higher anxiety symptoms.

    Measured: Change across baseline to follow-up (e.g., Baseline, End of Intervention [approximately 1 week after intervention completion], 1 month after intervention completion, and 6 months after intervention completion)

  3. Change in Loneliness Symptoms on the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) 3-Item Loneliness Scale

    The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) 3-Item Loneliness Scale is a self-report measure for symptoms of loneliness. Scores range from 3 to 9; higher scores reflect higher levels of loneliness.

    Measured: Change across baseline to follow-up (e.g., Baseline, End of Intervention [approximately 1 week after intervention completion], 1 month after intervention completion, and 6 months after intervention completion)

  4. Change in Psychological Adjustment Concerns on the Brief Adjustment Scale (BASE-6)

    The Brief Adjustment Scale (BASE-6) is a brief self-report symptom monitoring measure for general psychological adjustment. Scores from from 6 to 42; higher scores reflect greater psychological adjustment concerns.

    Measured: Change across baseline to follow-up (e.g., Baseline, End of Intervention [approximately 1 week after intervention completion], 1 month after intervention completion, and 6 months after intervention completion)

  5. Change in Experiential Avoidance Symptoms on the Brief Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire

    The Brief Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire is a self-report measure of experiential avoidance. Scores range from 15 to 90; higher scores reflect greater levels of experiential avoidance.

    Measured: Change across baseline to follow-up (e.g., Baseline, End of Intervention [approximately 1 week after intervention completion], 1 month after intervention completion, and 6 months after intervention completion)

  6. Change in Emotion Regulation Difficulties on the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-16)

    The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-16) is a self-report measure of emotion regulation difficulties. Scores range from 16 to 80; higher scores reflect greater emotion regulation difficulties.

    Measured: Change across baseline to follow-up (e.g., Baseline, End of Intervention [approximately 1 week after intervention completion], 1 month after intervention completion, and 6 months after intervention completion)

  7. Change in Stigma Towards Help-seeking on the Ultra-Brief Self-Stigma of Seeking Help (SSOSH-3) Scale

    The Ultra Brief Self-Stigma of Seeking Help (SSOSH-3) Scale is a self-report measure of stigma towards seeking psychological support. Scores range from 3 to 15; higher scores reflect greater stigma.

    Measured: Change across baseline to follow-up (e.g., Baseline, End of Intervention [approximately 1 week after intervention completion], 1 month after intervention completion, and 6 months after intervention completion)

  8. Change in Camouflaging on the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CATQ)

    The Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CATQ) is a self-report measure of masking autistic traits. Scores range from 25 to 175; greater scores reflect a higher level of camouflaging.

    Measured: Change across baseline to follow-up (e.g., Baseline, End of Intervention [approximately 1 week after intervention completion], 1 month after intervention completion, and 6 months after intervention completion)

  9. Change in Sleep Difficulties on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)

    The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a self-report measure of sleep difficulties. Scores range from 0 to 21; higher scores reflect greater sleep difficulties.

    Measured: Change across baseline to follow-up (e.g., Baseline, End of Intervention [approximately 1 week after intervention completion], 1 month after intervention completion, and 6 months after intervention completion)

  10. Change in Pain Intensity on the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Intensity Short Form Scale.

    The Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Intensity Short Form Scale is a self-report measure of pain intensity. Total scores range from 3 to 15; higher scores reflect more intense pain.

    Measured: Change across baseline to follow-up (e.g., Baseline, End of Intervention [approximately 1 week after intervention completion], 1 month after intervention completion, and 6 months after intervention completion)

  11. Change in Pain Interference on the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interference Short Form Scale.

    The Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interference Short Form Scale is a self-report measure of pain interference. Total scores range from 8 to 40; higher scores reflect a greater level of pain interference.

    Measured: Change across baseline to follow-up (e.g., Baseline, End of Intervention [approximately 1 week after intervention completion], 1 month after intervention completion, and 6 months after intervention completion)

  12. Change in Physical Activity as Assessed on Fitbit.

    Participants Fitbit measurements of number of steps (average past week daily steps) will be assessed via their Fitbit device.

    Measured: Change across baseline to follow-up (e.g., Baseline, End of Intervention [approximately 1 week after intervention completion], 1 month after intervention completion, and 6 months after intervention completion)

  13. Change in Sleep Duration as Assessed on Fitbit.

    Participants Fitbit measurements of sleep duration in hours (past weekly nightly average in hours) will be assessed via their Fitbit device. A higher sleep duration indicates greater numbers slept.

    Measured: Change across baseline to follow-up (e.g., Baseline, End of Intervention [approximately 1 week after intervention completion], 1 month after intervention completion, and 6 months after intervention completion)

  14. Change in Resting Heart Rate as Assessed on Fitbit.

    Participants Fitbit measurements of resting heart rate (past week daily average) will be assessed via their Fitbit device.

    Measured: Change across baseline to follow-up (e.g., Baseline, End of Intervention [approximately 1 week after intervention completion], 1 month after intervention completion, and 6 months after intervention completion)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted17 May 2023
  2. Study start26 Oct 2023
  3. Primary completion12 Feb 2025
  4. Study completion12 Feb 2025

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Model description
This is a single group study, where all participants receive telehealth-based Written Exposure therapy (WET). Feasibility and initial efficacy is assessed via pre-post assessments, conducted pre-WET, at the end of WET, and 1 and 6 months post program completion.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
28 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05862467
Sponsor's protocol ID
20230331CM03524
Status last verified
May 2026
First submitted
25 Apr 2023
Last updated
2 Jul 2026
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Written Exposure Therapy (WET) via telehealth in people with Autism and Trauma, run by University of Wyoming at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 2 Jul 2026). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms on the Posttraumatic Symptom Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) Scale (time frame: Change across baseline to follow-up (e.g., Baseline, End of Intervention [approximately 1 week after intervention completion], 1 month after intervention completion, and 6 months after intervention completion)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 2 Jul 2026.

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