Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33384385›Full record

Trial reportBMJ open2020

SAFE, a new therapeutic intervention for families of children with autism: a randomised controlled feasibility trial.

Rebecca McKenzie, Rudi Dallos, Jacqui Stedmon, Helen Hancocks, Patricia Jane Vickery, Andy Barton, Tara Vassallo, Craig Myhill, Jade Chynoweth, Paul Ewings

Abstract readMulticenter StudyRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in BMJ open, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Rebecca McKenzieInstitute of Education, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK rebecca.mckenzie@plymouth.ac.uk.ORCID 0000-0001-8152-7880
Rudi DallosDepartment of Clinical Psychology, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.
Jacqui StedmonDepartment of Clinical Psychology, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.
Helen HancocksPeninsula Clinical Trials Unit, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.
Patricia Jane VickeryPeninsula Clinical Trials Unit, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.
Andy BartonSouth West Research Design Service, Plymouth, UK.
Tara VassalloInstitute of Education, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.
Craig MyhillInstitute of Education, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.
Jade ChynowethMedical Statistics, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.
Paul EwingsResearch Office, Research Design Service, Taunton, UK.

Funding

Department of Health PB-PG-0815-20058
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesTo establish the feasibility of a definitive randomised controlled trial of Systemic Autism-related Family Enabling (SAFE), an intervention for families of children with autism.

designA randomised, controlled, multicentred feasibility study.

settingParticipants were identified from three National Health Service (NHS) diagnosing centres in Plymouth and Cornwall and a community pathway.

participants34 families of a child with a diagnosis of autism severity level 1 or 2 between 3 and 16 years. Four families were lost to follow-up.

interventionsSAFE is a manualised five-session family therapy-based intervention delivered over 16 weeks and designed for families of children with autism. SAFE involves families attending five 3-hour sessions led by systemic practitioners. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The proposed primary outcome measure was the Systemic CORE 15 (SCORE-15). Proposed secondary outcome measures: Patient Health Questionnaire-Somatic Anxiety Depressive Symptoms, the Coding of Attachment-Related Parenting for use with children with Autism, the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ) and the Caregiving Helplessness Questionnaire. Outcome measures were collected at baseline and 24 weeks post randomisation.

resultsAll primary caregivers retained in the study completed the SCORE-15 at both time points. 34 of the target of 36 families were recruited and 88% of families were retained. Training for therapists was effective. Feedback revealed willingness to undergo randomisation. There was 100% attendance at appropriate sessions for core family members. The SCORE-15 showed reduction in scores for families receiving SAFE compared with controls suggesting positive change. Qualitative data also revealed that families found the study acceptable and families receiving SAFE experienced positive change. Feedback indicated that the SCORE-15 should be retained as a primary measure in a future trial, but secondary measures should be reduced.

conclusionsThis study indicates that a larger trial of SAFE is feasible. Findings suggest that SAFE can address current gaps in recommended care, can be confidently delivered by NHS staff and has potential as a beneficial treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: ISCTRN83964946 and IRAS213527.

Indexed as

Autistic DisorderCaregiversChildCost-Benefit AnalysisFeasibility StudiesHumansState MedicineSurveys and Questionnaireschild & adolescent psychiatrycommunity child healthmental health

Identifiers

PMID33384385
PMCPMC7780715

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.