Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Trials in Canada

The current clinical trial is focused on evaluating the efficacy of rTMS for treatment of depression in youth and young adults (hereafter called transition aged youth, TAY) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The motivation to undertake the current efficacy study is driven by: (1) the substantial impact of depression on TAY with ASD (based on prevalence and contribution to disability/impairment); (2) lack of evidence-based treatments for depression in autism (there are no current trials rigorously evaluating any treatment for depression, i.e., psychotherapeutic, pharmacotherapeutic, brain stimulation); (3) rTMS has demonstrated efficacy in non-autistic individuals to improve symptoms of depression and may be better tolerated in youth than medication treatment; (4) a prior pilot rTMS study focused on treatment of executive function deficits in autism indicated that high frequency rTMS delivered using a rigorous randomized control trial (RCT) protocol can be feasibly implemented in TAY with autism, is well tolerated (mild to moderate adverse effects and low drop out), and has the potential to improve symptoms of depression. Read Less

One in 60 children have a physical disability that can impact activities and participation. Occupational and physical therapies can be of great benefit, but are costly and difficult to access. Working with children, parents and clinicians, the investigators developed a mixed reality video game, Bootle Blast, which children can play to develop motor skills. Using a 3D sensor, Bootle Blast tracks movements and manipulation of real-life objects. Since 2017, Bootle Blast has been used in clinics by Holland Bloorview, Canada's largest children's rehabilitation hospital. Home use of Bootle Blast has resulted in positive clinical outcomes for children with cerebral palsy. Bootle Blast is not yet commercially available and has yet to be trialed in "real-world" contexts. To understand real-world implementation, Bootle Blast will be trialed for 14 weeks in the homes of 60 young people (6 to 17 years) with any motor condition that could be addressed by the Bootle Blast system, regardless of their diagnosis. The investigators will assess feasibility (e.g. independent home setup, ability to set/meet self-directed play time goals), enablers/barriers to use, and perceived value. User experience will inform product, training and resource development. The research team combines expertise in engineering design, medicine, physiotherapy, qualitative methods, commercialization, knowledge translation, and includes young people with lived experience. Read Less