Marino Flavia, Chilà Paola, Failla Chiara, Crimi Ilaria, Minutoli Roberta, Puglisi Alfio, Arnao Antonino Andrea, Tartarisco Gennaro, Ruta Liliana, Vagni David, Pioggia Giovanni
Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 98164 Messina, Italy.
Brain Sci. 2020 Sep 18;10(9):649. doi: 10.3390/brainsci10090649.
Telehealth is useful for both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis and treatment, but studies with a direct comparison between teletherapy and traditional in-person therapy are limited.
This randomized control trial-ISRCTN (International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number) primary clinical trial registry ID ISRCTN15312724-was aimed at comparing the effect of a tele-assisted and in-person intervention based on a behavioral intervention protocol for families with children affected by ASDs. Forty-two parents with children with autism (30 months to 10 years old) were randomly assigned to 12 sessions of an applied behavioral analysis (ABA) intervention implemented in an individual and group setting, either with or without the inclusion of tele-assistance. Pre- and postintervention assessments were conducted using the Home Situation Questionnaire (HSQ-ASD) and the Parental Stress Index (PSI/SF).
Substantial improvements in the perception and management of children's behavior by parents, as well as in the influence of a reduction in parent stress levels on said children's behavior through the use of a tele-assisted intervention, were obtained.
This randomized controlled trial demonstrates the evidence-based potential for telehealth to improve treatment of ASDs.
远程医疗对自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的诊断和治疗均有用，但直接比较远程治疗与传统面对面治疗的研究有限。
这项随机对照试验——国际标准随机对照试验编号（ISRCTN）主要临床试验注册编号ISRCTN15312724——旨在比较基于行为干预方案的远程辅助干预与面对面干预对患有自闭症谱系障碍儿童家庭的效果。42位有自闭症儿童（年龄在30个月至10岁之间）的家长被随机分配接受12节应用行为分析（ABA）干预课程，干预在个体和小组环境中实施，分为有或没有远程辅助两种情况。干预前后使用家庭情况问卷（HSQ - ASD）和父母压力指数（PSI/SF）进行评估。
通过远程辅助干预，家长对孩子行为的认知和管理有显著改善，同时家长压力水平降低对孩子行为的影响也有显著改善。
这项随机对照试验证明了远程医疗在改善自闭症谱系障碍治疗方面具有循证潜力。
