The People with Asperger syndrome and anxiety disorders (PAsSA) trial: a pilot multicentre, single-blind randomised trial of group cognitive–behavioural therapy
Peter E. Langdon,
Glynis H. Murphy,
Lee Shepstone,
Edward C.F. Wilson,
David Fowler,
David Heavens,
Alexandra Russell,
Alice Rose,
Aida Malovic,
Louise Mullineaux
Affiliations
Peter E. Langdon
Tizard Centre, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK; Broadland Clinic, Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust in Norfolk, Norwich, UK
Glynis H. Murphy
Tizard Centre, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK, and Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Dartford, UK
Lee Shepstone
Department of Population Health and Primary Care, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
Edward C.F. Wilson
School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
David Fowler
School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
David Heavens
Department of Clinical Psychology, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, and Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK
Alexandra Russell
Department of Clinical Psychology, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK, and Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK
Alice Rose
Tizard Centre, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
Aida Malovic
Department of Clinical Psychology, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK, and Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust in Norfolk, Norwich, UK
Louise Mullineaux
Department of Clinical Psychology, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK, and Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust in Norfolk, Norwich, UK
BackgroundThere is a growing interest in using cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) with people who have Asperger syndrome and comorbid mental health problems.AimsTo examine whether modified group CBT for clinically significant anxiety in an Asperger syndrome population is feasible and likely to be efficacious.MethodUsing a randomised assessor-blind trial, 52 individuals with Asperger syndrome were randomised into a treatment arm or a waiting-list control arm. After 24 weeks, those in the waiting-list control arm received treatment, while those initially randomised to treatment were followed up for 24 weeks.ResultsThe conversion rate for this trial was high (1.6:1), while attrition was 13%. After 24 weeks, there was no significant difference between those randomised to the treatment arm compared with those randomised to the waiting-list control arm on the primary outcome measure, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety.ConclusionsTrials of psychological therapies with this population are feasible. Larger definitive trials are now needed.
