Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40379306›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Outcomes of participating in the Let's Play programme on 0-5-year-old autistic children's engagement and caregivers' stress: study protocol for a parallel randomised controlled trial.

Ashley E Hinten, Philip J Schluter, Jenna van Deurs, Lauren van Noorden, Laurie McLay

Abstract readClinical Trial Protocol
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

5 authors.

Ashley E HintenTe Kaupeka Oranga | Faculty of Health, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.ORCID 0000-0002-6815-6859
Philip J SchluterTe Kaupeka Oranga | Faculty of Health, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.ORCID 0000-0001-6799-6779
Jenna van DeursTe Kaupeka Oranga | Faculty of Health, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.ORCID 0000-0002-6862-2223
Lauren van NoordenTe Kaupeka Oranga | Faculty of Health, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Laurie McLayTe Kaupeka Oranga | Faculty of Health, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand laurie.mclay@canterbury.ac.nz.ORCID 0000-0001-7002-3695

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionVast empirical evidence highlights the importance of early identification, diagnosis and support for autistic children. Caregivers of autistic children often experience high levels of psychological distress; hence there is a need for parallel child and caregiver support. Autism New Zealand's Let's Play programme is a caregiver-mediated, community-based programme based on the principles of developmental and relational interventions (henceforth, developmental). Developmental interventions are evidence-based supports designed to enhance children's learning within the context of developmentally appropriate, naturalistic settings (eg, everyday routines, play). We aim to evaluate the effects of the Let's Play programme on autistic children's engagement and caregiver stress. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study will be a single-blind (rater) randomised controlled trial with two parallel arms: immediate programme access (intervention) versus a waitlist control. Participants will be 64 caregivers of children aged 0-5 years with diagnosed or suspected autism, allowing for 20% attrition, based on power calculations. The Let's Play programme will be delivered over 9 weeks using a combination of small group workshops and in-home coaching. Primary outcome variables include child engagement and caregiver stress. Caregivers will complete measures at three time points (baseline, immediately post-programme and at the 6-month follow-up), and effectiveness will be analysed using generalised estimating equation models and intention-to-treat and per protocol analyses. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This trial was approved by Aotearoa New Zealand Ministry of Health's Health and Disability Ethics Committee (2022 FULL 13041). Findings will be communicated nationally and internationally via conferences, journal publications and stakeholder groups (eg, service providers for autistic children). Results will be shared regardless of magnitude or direction of effect. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12622001139763.

Indexed as

Autistic DisorderCaregiversPlay and PlaythingsPlay TherapyStress, PsychologicalChild, PreschoolFemaleHumansInfantInfant, NewbornMaleNew ZealandRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicSingle-Blind MethodBehaviorCommunity child healthMENTAL HEALTHRandomized Controlled TrialSocial Interaction

Identifiers

PMID40379306
PMCPMC12083321

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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.