ArticleChild and adolescent psychiatry and mental health2026
Efficacy of executive function training in preschool children with ASD: a randomized controlled trial.
Article in Child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundThis two-arm, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of a 16-week Executive Function Training Course (EFTC) based on the principles of ABA for preschool children with ASD.
methodsSeventy-two children aged 3-6 years were randomly allocated to the intervention group (EFTC + treatment as usual, TAU) or control group (TAU). Executive function (EF) served as the primary outcome, evaluated using both performance-based tasks and parent-report rating scales. Secondary outcomes included core autism symptoms, emotional-behavioral comorbidities, developmental progress, and parental stress.
resultsLinear mixed model analysis revealed significant group × time interactions for total EF [F (1, 67.94) = 9.712, p = 0.003], inhibition [F (1, 66.97) = 5.916, p = 0.018], and working memory [F (1, 67.15) = 6.173, p = 0.015] measured by the task-based EF assessment. No significant differences were observed in parent-reported EF or other secondary outcomes.
conclusionsThese findings provide empirical evidence for the effectiveness of EFTC on EF in preschool children with ASD. More studies are needed to explore the effects of EFTC in ecological contexts, as well as on broader symptomatology and development, and long-term effects on EF in preschool children with ASD.
trial registrationThe trial is registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2400091585 (2024.10.30), https://www.chictr.org.cn/bin/project/edit?pid=249048 .
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