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Purpose

The proposed project will attempt to confirm the benefits of a structured magic trick training program (MTTP) experience in adolescents with autism. Benefits of participating in a 6-week virtual MTTP will be evaluated using validated assessments to measure social-emotional competencies.

Conditions

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 11 Years and 18 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Confirmed diagnosis (with proof of evidence) of autism; - Aged between 11 and 18 years (younger children may lack the inductive reasoning skills to learn magic tricks); - Have functional hand dexterity to do magic tricks - Intact cognition as indicated by a score above the corresponding cut-off point of the child's age on the Mini-Mental Examination for Children; and - Access to internet and a computer or smartphone that can perform videoconferencing.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Severe hearing or visual impairments that prevent online learning; - Previous participation in organized magic learning program or camp; - Current or planned participation in psychological therapy or a clinical trial during the study period that could affect the outcomes of the study.

Study Design

Phase
Phase 2
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Intervention Model Description
Randomized controlled trial
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
magic trick training 		Participation in a 6 weekly virtual magic trick training camp with three lessons per week.
  • Behavioral: magic trick training
    A typical session will begin with the magician demonstrating a magic trick then revealing the secret move of the trick.The participants will learn and practice each trick. With assistance from the magician, participants will develop an oralstory presentation for the trick. After participants master one trick, the magician will demonstrate and teach the next.
No Intervention
waitlist control 		Participation in usual daily activities.

Recruiting Locations

University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama 35294
Contact:
Hon K Yuen, PhD

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Study Contact

Hon Yuen
205-934-6301
yuen@uab.edu

Detailed Description

The proposed study will employ a RCT to test the two hypotheses. The design of the MTTP is based on the SEL framework. The study will incorporate a 2 x 3 two-way factorial design with repeated measures at three time points. The two between-subject factor conditions will be participation in a MTTP versus a waitlist control condition that will be evaluated at baseline, immediately post-program, and at 6-week follow-up (within-subject factor conditions). Sixty adolescents with autism will be recruited for this study. Aim 1. Evaluate the therapeutic benefits of a 6-week virtual MTTP on social-emotional functioning, and emotional stress among adolescents with autism. Hypothesis #1: Adolescents with autism who participate in a virtual MTTP will demonstrate better social-emotional functioning, and a reduction in emotional stress compared to waitlist controls at the conclusion of a 6-week MTTP. Hypothesis #2: The positive impact of the virtual MTTP on the participants' improved social-emotional functioning, and reduction in emotional stress will be maintained at 6-week follow-up.

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.