Effectiveness of Online-Delivered Project ImPACT for Children With ASD and Their Parents: A Pilot Study During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

ObjectiveDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face intervention services for families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-week, online-delivered Project ImPACT program for children with ASD and their parents in China during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA pilot non-randomized study with a waitlist control group was conducted in 68 children with ASD and their parents in the Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics between April 15, 2020 and March 19, 2021. Participants were allocated to either the intervention (IG) or the waitlist group (WLG) according to their order of recruitment. Parents in the IG immediately received 8 weeks of the online-delivered Project ImPACT program, and the WLG received the same program with a delay when the IG had completed all sessions. Participants in both groups received treatment as usual during the research period.ResultsThe online-delivered Project ImPACT program significantly improved the parent-reported social communication skills of children with ASD. Furthermore, parent's involvement in the training program produced a collateral reduction in parenting stress and an increase in perceived competence in the parental role. Parents rated the program acceptable in terms of curriculum schedule, session content, homework assignments, and therapist feedback.ConclusionsThe 8-week, online-delivered Project ImPACT program is a feasible and effective social skill training program for families of children with ASD in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the methodological limitations, randomized controlled studies with larger sample sizes are suggested to provide more solid evidence.

Telehealth services for children with neuro‐developmental disabilities in the Asia‐Pacific region: A systematic review

“…Out of which, two studies did not clarify the study design, and anther two had ambiguity in inclusion/exclusion criteria (O'Brian et al, 2014; Ooi et al, 2012) (Hatfield et al, 2017; McDevitt, 2021). There were some studies that lacked basic information such as demographic details of the participants (Fuller & McLeod, 2019; Johnson et al, 2020; Lewis et al, 2008; Li et al, 2022; Sivaraman et al, 2021; Whitehouse et al, 2017). All the studies clearly mentioned about the relevance of the selected data analysis method.…”

“…Table 2 summarizes the key characteristics of the studies included in this review. Five case studies (Awasthi et al, 2021; Ekberg et al, 2019; Fuller & McLeod, 2019; McDevitt, 2021; Sivaraman et al, 2021), five randomized controlled trials (Johnson et al, 2020; Lewis et al, 2008; Li et al, 2022; Ooi et al, 2016; Whitehouse et al, 2017), four case series (Choi & van Riper, 2020; Hines et al, 2019; O'Brian et al, 2014; Ooi et al, 2012) and two quasi‐experimental studies (Hatfield et al, 2017; Ravi et al, 2020) were included. Half of the studies (8/16) were from Australia, three studies were from India, two studies each from China and Singapore and one study from South Korea.…”

“…Almost all studies involved either a parent, a family member or other professionals for the intervention while conducting the telehealth consultation either using a synchronous, asynchronous or hybrid approach. All the studies used parent-mediated intervention strategies: direct parent involvement (Awasthi et al, 2021;Choi & van Riper, 2020;Ekberg et al, 2019;Fuller & McLeod, 2019;Hines et al, 2019;Lewis et al, 2008;Li et al, 2022;O'Brian et al, 2014;Ravi et al, 2020;Sivaraman et al, 2021;Whitehouse et al, 2017), indirect parent involvement to track the progress (Ooi et al, 2012(Ooi et al, , 2016 and parent support (Johnson et al, 2020).…”

Managing Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Face of Pandemic Using Internet-Based Parent-Mediated Interventions: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…This program can either be completed independently or with the assistance of a therapist through the use of web-based remote training. Through this program, parents can obtain certification after finishing the beginner and advanced courses, receive consultation from trainer consultant for 6 months while using the program, and meet fidelity of implementation [ 17 , 29 ].…”

A Meta-analysis of Parent Training Program in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder for Digital Therapeutics

“…이러한 디지털 치료제 개발에 필요한 근거기반실제(evidencebased practice)의 입증을 위한 일환으로 우선 원격치료에 대한 필 요성과 관심이 증가한 만큼 이 비대면치료의 효과에 대한 연구 (Akemoglu, Muharib, & Meadan, 2020;Ingersol, Wainer, Berger, Pickard, & Bonter, 2016;Jung et al, 2020;Li et al, 2022;Shire, Worthman, Shih, & Kasari, 2020) Frolli et al, 2021;Hampton, Kaiser, & Fuller, 2020;Kasari et al, 2014;Li et al, 2022;Rogers et al, 2012 Siller et al, 2013), 중국 (Li et al, 2022;Yang & Lee, 2019), 사우디아라비아 (Alquraini et al, 2018), 라틴 (Zeng et al, 2022), 브라질 (Bordini et al, 2020;Mallucelli et al, 2021), 이탈리아 (Frolli et al, 2021 Bordin et al, 2020;Casenhiser et al, 2013;Cheon & Yim, 2016;Frolli et al, 2021;Gengoux et al, 2019;Hampton et al,2020;Kasari et al, 2014;Kasari et al, 2015;Malucelli et al, 2021;Rogers et al, 2012;Suh & Lee, 2022;Siller et al, 2013;Solomon et al, 2014;Wetherby et al, 2014 Frolli et al, 2021;Kasari et al, 2014;Gengoux et al, 2019;Li et al, 2022;Malucelli et al, 2021;Rogers et al, 2012) 14편(Alquraini et al, 2018;Bordin et al, 2020;…”