Autism Spectrum DisorderLEGO-ASDNCT07751679
LEGO-Based Play Therapy for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
A study testing LEGO®-Based Play Therapy in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, run by Marmara University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties in social communication and interaction, as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 6 to 12 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- What is being tested?
- LEGO®-Based Play Therapy
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- Aug 2026to Jan 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 6 to 12 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Children aged 6 to 12 years.
- Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) or the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11).
- Regular attendance at the Istanbul Gedik University Center for Barrier-Free Life Practice and Research.
- No physical health condition that would prevent participation in group activities.
- Written informed consent obtained from a parent or legal guardian.
- Willingness of the child to participate in the study.
Who cannot join
- Presence of a physical, neurological, or psychiatric condition that would prevent participation in LEGO®-Based Group Play Therapy.
- Absence from more than 20% of the planned 12 intervention sessions. Incomplete completion of the data collection instruments by the parent or legal guardian, or failure to participate in the post-intervention or follow-up assessments.
- Withdrawal from the study by the child or the parent/legal guardian at any stage of the research
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Istanbul Gedik University Center for Barrier-Free Life Practice and Research
Istanbul
About this study
Official title: The Effects of LEGO®-Based Play Therapy on Social Skills and Play Skills in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties in social communication and interaction, as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Children with ASD often experience challenges in developing social relationships and engaging in age-appropriate play activities.
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of LEGO®-Based Play Therapy in improving social skills and play skills in children with autism spectrum disorder. Participants are assigned to either a LEGO®-Based Play Therapy group or a control group. The intervention consists of structured group sessions conducted over a 12-week period using collaborative LEGO® building activities designed to promote communication, cooperation, problem-solving, and peer interaction.
The primary outcomes are changes in social skills and play skills measured using validated assessment tools before and after the intervention. The findings of this study may provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of LEGO®-Based Play Therapy as a supportive intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder and contribute to the development of evidence-based psychosocial interventions.
Read the detailed description
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, accompanied by restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Difficulties in social interaction and functional play may negatively affect children's participation in daily life and peer relationships. Therefore, interventions that support social engagement through structured play have gained increasing attention.
LEGO®-Based Play Therapy is a structured, collaborative intervention that promotes communication, joint attention, cooperation, turn-taking, problem-solving, and social interaction through shared LEGO® construction activities. During each session, children work together by assuming complementary roles to complete building tasks, encouraging reciprocal communication and cooperative play.
The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of LEGO®-Based Play Therapy in improving social skills and play skills in children with autism spectrum disorder. Participants are allocated to an intervention group receiving LEGO®-Based Play Therapy or to a control group receiving usual care without LEGO®-Based Play Therapy during the study period.
The intervention is delivered in small groups over a 12-week period using standardized LEGO®-Based Play Therapy procedures. Social skills and play skills are evaluated using validated outcome measures administered before and after the intervention. The findings are expected to contribute to the evidence base regarding psychosocial interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder and provide guidance for clinicians, educators, and families.
- Conditions
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Being tested
- LEGO®-Based Play Therapy
- Keywords
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, LEGO®-Based Play Therapy, Social Skills, Play Skills, Children, Psychosocial Intervention, Randomized Controlled Trial
- Medical subject headings
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Social Skills
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
LEGO®-Based Play TherapyBehavioural
Participants receive LEGO®-Based Play Therapy in small groups once weekly for 12 weeks. During each session, children collaboratively build LEGO® models while rotating through three structured roles: Engineer (provides building instructions and guides the task), Supplier (identifies and provides the required LEGO® pieces), and Builder (assembles the LEGO® model according to the instructions). The intervention is designed to improve social communication, cooperation, joint attention, problem-solving, and play skills through structured peer interaction.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| LEGO®-Based Play Therapy Group | Experimental | Structured LEGO®-Based Play Therapy delivered in small groups over a 12-week period to improve social and play skills in children with autism spectrum disorder. Receives: Behavioral: LEGO®-Based Play Therapy |
| Control Group | No intervention | Participants receive no LEGO®-Based Play Therapy during the study period and continue with their usual care or routine educational activities. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Play Skills
Play skills will be assessed using the Penn Interactive Peer Play Scale (PIPPS)(parents and teacher scales). The Play Interaction subscale assesses positive social behaviors such as cooperation, sharing, helping, and inviting peers to join play activities. The Play Disruption subscale measures aggressive, antisocial, and conflict-provoking behaviors, whereas the Play Disconnection subscale evaluates the child's tendency to withdraw from peer play and exhibit socially withdrawn behaviors. All items are rated on a 4-point Likert scale.
The Turkish adaptation, validity, and reliability study of the scale was conducted by Ahmetoğlu et al. (2016). The findings demonstrated that the original three-factor structure of the scale was retained. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients were reported as 0.72 for the Play Interaction subscale, 0.75 for the Play Disruption subscale, and 0.68 for the Play Disconnection subscale. In the present study, the scale was administered at pre-test, post-test, and
Measured: Baseline, Week 12 (post-intervention), and Week 24 (12-week follow-up)
Social Skills
Social skills will be assessed using the Autism Social Skills Profile (ASSP). Higher scores indicate better social skills. The Autism Social Skills Profile (ASSP) consists of 41 items organized into three subscales: Social Reciprocity, Social Participation, and Detrimental Social Behaviors. The questionnaire is completed by parents using a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (Never) to 3 (Very Often). Total scores range from 0 to 123, with higher scores indicating more advanced social skills.
The Turkish adaptation, validity, and reliability study of the parent version of the ASSP was conducted by Demir (2014). The findings demonstrated excellent internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.92. In the present study, the ASSP was administered at pre-test, post-test, and follow-up to evaluate the effects of LEGO®-based group play therapy on the social skills of children. Permission to use the scale was obtained prior to data collection.
Measured: Baseline, Week 12 (immediately after completion of the intervention), and Week 24 (12 weeks after completion of the intervention)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 Aug 2026
- Study startAug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionNov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionJan 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Autism Spectrum DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Marmara UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants are randomly assigned to either the LEGO®-Based Play Therapy intervention group or the control group in a parallel-group design. The intervention group receives LEGO®-Based Play Therapy in small groups over a 12-week period, while the control group does not receive LEGO®-Based Play Therapy during the study period. Outcomes are assessed at baseline, immediately after completion of the 12-week intervention, and at a 12-week follow-up assessment.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Marmara University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- İstanbul Gedik University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Yeter Çuvadar Baş, Marmara University
- Investigators
- Yeter Çuvadar Baş, MsC, Principal investigator, Marmara University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07751679
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 11470191-050.04-2025.173340.50
- Acronym
- LEGO-ASD
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 31 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 7 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared because no data-sharing plan was included in the study protocol or participant consent documents. Participant confidentiality and privacy will be protected in accordance with institutional ethical requirements.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effects of LEGO®-Based Play Therapy on Social Skills and Play Skills in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07751679
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- LEGO-ASD / 11470191-050.04-2025.173340.50
- Conditions
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Keywords
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, LEGO®-Based Play Therapy, Social Skills, Play Skills, Children, Psychosocial Intervention, Randomized Controlled Trial
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Marmara UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- İstanbul Gedik University
- Study start
- Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Jan 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 7 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties in social communication and interaction, as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Children with ASD often experience challenges in developing social relationships and engaging in age-appropriate play activities.
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of LEGO®-Based Play Therapy in improving social skills and play skills in children with autism spectrum disorder. Participants are assigned to either a LEGO®-Based Play Therapy group or a control group. The intervention consists of structured group sessions conducted over a 12-week period using collaborative LEGO® building activities designed to promote communication, cooperation, problem-solving, and peer interaction.
The primary outcomes are changes in social skills and play skills measured using validated assessment tools before and after the intervention. The findings of this study may provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of LEGO®-Based Play Therapy as a supportive intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder and contribute to the development of evidence-based psychosocial interventions.
Detailed description
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, accompanied by restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Difficulties in social interaction and functional play may negatively affect children's participation in daily life and peer relationships. Therefore, interventions that support social engagement through structured play have gained increasing attention.
LEGO®-Based Play Therapy is a structured, collaborative intervention that promotes communication, joint attention, cooperation, turn-taking, problem-solving, and social interaction through shared LEGO® construction activities. During each session, children work together by assuming complementary roles to complete building tasks, encouraging reciprocal communication and cooperative play.
The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of LEGO®-Based Play Therapy in improving social skills and play skills in children with autism spectrum disorder. Participants are allocated to an intervention group receiving LEGO®-Based Play Therapy or to a control group receiving usual care without LEGO®-Based Play Therapy during the study period.
The intervention is delivered in small groups over a 12-week period using standardized LEGO®-Based Play Therapy procedures. Social skills and play skills are evaluated using validated outcome measures administered before and after the intervention. The findings are expected to contribute to the evidence base regarding psychosocial interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder and provide guidance for clinicians, educators, and families.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants are randomly assigned to either the LEGO®-Based Play Therapy intervention group or the control group in a parallel-group design. The intervention group receives LEGO®-Based Play Therapy in small groups over a 12-week period, while the control group does not receive LEGO®-Based Play Therapy during the study period. Outcomes are assessed at baseline, immediately after completion of the 12-week intervention, and at a 12-week follow-up assessment.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| LEGO®-Based Play Therapy Group | Experimental | Behavioral: LEGO®-Based Play TherapyStructured LEGO®-Based Play Therapy delivered in small groups over a 12-week period to improve social and play skills in children with autism spectrum disorder. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Participants receive no LEGO®-Based Play Therapy during the study period and continue with their usual care or routine educational activities. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 6 to 12 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Children aged 6 to 12 years.
- Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) or the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11).
- Regular attendance at the Istanbul Gedik University Center for Barrier-Free Life Practice and Research.
- No physical health condition that would prevent participation in group activities.
- Written informed consent obtained from a parent or legal guardian.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Presence of a physical, neurological, or psychiatric condition that would prevent participation in LEGO®-Based Group Play Therapy.
- Absence from more than 20% of the planned 12 intervention sessions. Incomplete completion of the data collection instruments by the parent or legal guardian, or failure to participate in the post-intervention or follow-up assessments.
- Withdrawal from the study by the child or the parent/legal guardian at any stage of the research
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| LEGO®-Based Play TherapyParticipants receive LEGO®-Based Play Therapy in small groups once weekly for 12 weeks. During each session, children collaboratively build LEGO® models while rotating through three structured roles: Engineer (provides building instructions and guides the task), Supplier (identifies and provides the required LEGO® pieces), and Builder (assembles the LEGO® model according to the instructions). The intervention is designed to improve social communication, cooperation, joint attention, problem-solving, and play skills through structured peer interaction. | Behavioural | LEGO®-Based Play Therapy Group |
Primary outcome
Play Skills
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12 (post-intervention), and Week 24 (12-week follow-up)
Play skills will be assessed using the Penn Interactive Peer Play Scale (PIPPS)(parents and teacher scales). The Play Interaction subscale assesses positive social behaviors such as cooperation, sharing, helping, and inviting peers to join play activities. The Play Disruption subscale measures aggressive, antisocial, and conflict-provoking behaviors, whereas the Play Disconnection subscale evaluates the child's tendency to withdraw from peer play and exhibit socially withdrawn behaviors. All items are rated on a 4-point Likert scale. The Turkish adaptation, validity, and reliability study of the scale was conducted by Ahmetoğlu et al. (2016). The findings demonstrated that the original three-factor structure of the scale was retained. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients were reported as 0.72 for the Play Interaction subscale, 0.75 for the Play Disruption subscale, and 0.68 for the Play Disconnection subscale. In the present study, the scale was administered at pre-test, post-test, and
Social Skills
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12 (immediately after completion of the intervention), and Week 24 (12 weeks after completion of the intervention)
Social skills will be assessed using the Autism Social Skills Profile (ASSP). Higher scores indicate better social skills. The Autism Social Skills Profile (ASSP) consists of 41 items organized into three subscales: Social Reciprocity, Social Participation, and Detrimental Social Behaviors. The questionnaire is completed by parents using a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (Never) to 3 (Very Often). Total scores range from 0 to 123, with higher scores indicating more advanced social skills. The Turkish adaptation, validity, and reliability study of the parent version of the ASSP was conducted by Demir (2014). The findings demonstrated excellent internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.92. In the present study, the ASSP was administered at pre-test, post-test, and follow-up to evaluate the effects of LEGO®-based group play therapy on the social skills of children. Permission to use the scale was obtained prior to data collection.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 7 Aug 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared because no data-sharing plan was included in the study protocol or participant consent documents. Participant confidentiality and privacy will be protected in accordance with institutional ethical requirements.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Yeter Çuvadar Baş, MsC principal investigator
Marmara University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing LEGO®-Based Play Therapy in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, run by Marmara University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 3 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Aug 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Yeter Çuvadar Baş, Msc /PhD Canditate (+905383275422, yetercuvadar@marun.edu.tr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Play Skills (time frame: Baseline, Week 12 (post-intervention), and Week 24 (12-week follow-up)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. 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 7 Aug 2026.