ERIC Number: EJ1255194
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-May
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: N/A
Self-Guided Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioural Practices Reduce Anxiety in Autistic Adults: A Pilot 8-Month Waitlist-Controlled Trial of Widely Available Online Tools
Gaigg, Sebastian B.; Flaxman, Paul E.; McLaven, Gracie; Shah, Ritika; Bowler, Dermot M.; Meyer, Brenda; Roestorf, Amanda; Haenschel, Corinna; Rodgers, Jacqui; South, Mikle
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v24 n4 p867-883 May 2020
Anxiety in autism is an important treatment target because of its consequences for quality of life and well-being. Growing evidence suggests that cognitive behaviour therapies and mindfulness-based therapies can ameliorate anxiety in autism but cost-effective delivery remains a challenge. This pilot randomised controlled trial examined whether online cognitive behaviour therapy and mindfulness-based therapy self-help programmes could help reduce anxiety in 54 autistic adults who were randomly allocated to either an online cognitive behaviour therapy (n = 16) or mindfulness-based therapy (n = 19) programme or a waitlist control group (n = 19). Primary outcome measures of anxiety, secondary outcome measures of broader well-being and potential process of change variables were collected at baseline, after programme completion, and then 3 and 6 months post-completion. Baseline data confirmed that intolerance of uncertainty and emotional acceptance accounted for up to 61% of self-reported anxiety across all participants. The 23 participants who were retained in the active conditions (14 mindfulness-based therapies, 9 cognitive behaviour therapies) showed significant decreases in anxiety that were maintained over 3, and to some extent also 6 months. Overall, results suggest that online self-help cognitive behaviour therapy and mindfulness-based therapy tools may provide a cost-effective method for delivering mental health support to those autistic adults who can engage effectively with online support tools.
Descriptors: Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Metacognition, Anxiety, Cognitive Restructuring, Behavior Modification, Program Effectiveness, Cost Effectiveness, Computer Mediated Communication, Counseling Techniques, Foreign Countries, Self Help Programs
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule; Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale; Social Responsiveness Scale; State Trait Anxiety Inventory; Beck Anxiety Inventory
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A