Protocol for a feasibility study and randomised pilot trial of a low-intensity psychological intervention for depression in adults with autism: the Autism Depression Trial (ADEPT)
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INTRODUCTION: High rates of co-occurring depression are reported in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by social communication impairments and repetitive behaviours. Cognitive-behavioural interventions adapted for ASD have been effective for anxiety problems. There have been evaluation studies of group cognitive-behavioural therapy for co-occurring depression, but no randomised trials investigating low-intensity psychological interventions as recommended in clinical guidelines for mild-moderate depression. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A feasibility study comprising a randomised controlled trial (RCT) and nested qualitative evaluation is under way as preparation for a definitive RCT. Participants (n=70) will be randomised to Guided Self-Help: a low-intensity psychological intervention based on behavioural activation adapted for ASD or treatment as usual. Outcomes including depression symptoms, anxiety, social function and service use will be measured at 10, 16 and 24 weeks postrandomisation and will be blind to group allocation for measures that are not self-administered. The analysis will aim to establish the rates of recruitment and retention for a larger-scale RCT as well as the most appropriate measure of depression to serve as primary outcome. The qualitative study will purposively sample up to 24 participants from each treatment group to consider the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention and the trial design. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval has been received from WALES REC 3 (IRAS project ID: 191558) and the Health Research Authority with R&D approval from Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership and Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Foundation NHS Trusts. To our knowledge, this is the first study of a low-intensity intervention for depression in adults with autism. The results will inform the design of a definitive RCT. Dissemination will include peer-reviewed journal publications reporting the quantitative and qualitative research findings of the study and presentations at national and international conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN54650760; Pre-results.
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- Authors
- Russell, A., Cooper, K., Barton, S., Ensum, I., Gaunt, D., Horwood, J., Ingham, B., Kessler, D., Metcalfe, C., Parr, J., Rai, D., & Wiles, N.
- Affiliations
- University of Bath (GB)
- Cumbria Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
- Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (GB)
- University of Bristol (GB)
- Newcastle University (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Russell, Ailsa
- Rai, Dheeraj
- ORCID
- Venue
- BMJ Open
- Publisher
- BMJ
- Published
- 2017-12
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- e019545
- ISSN
- 2044-6055 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC5736092
- OpenAlex
- W2766918698
- Cited by
- 16
- References
- 41
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 4
- FWCI
- 1.26
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- BMJ Open (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Pure (University of Bath) (acceptedVersion, cc-by)
- Explore Bristol Research (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Bristol Research (University of Bristol) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- Health Technology Assessment Programme
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, depression, low-intensity psychological interventions, guided self-help, behavioral activation, autistic adults, feasibility, recruitment and retention, depression measurement, anxiety, social function, service utilization, acceptability
- MeSH terms
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Adult, Depression, Feasibility Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Pilot Projects, Self Care, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Treatment Outcome
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