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Papoutselou E, Harrison S, Mai G, Buck B, Patil N, Wiggins I, Hartley D. Investigating mother-child inter-brain synchrony in a naturalistic paradigm: A functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) hyperscanning study. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:1386-1403. [PMID: 38155106 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Successful social interactions between mothers and children are hypothesised to play a significant role in a child's social, cognitive and language development. Earlier research has confirmed, through structured experimental paradigms, that these interactions could be underpinned by coordinated neural activity. Nevertheless, the extent of neural synchrony during real-life, ecologically valid interactions between mothers and their children remains largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated mother-child inter-brain synchrony using a naturalistic free-play paradigm. We also examined the relationship between neural synchrony, verbal communication patterns and personality traits to further understand the underpinnings of brain synchrony. Twelve children aged between 3 and 5 years old and their mothers participated in this study. Neural synchrony in mother-child dyads were measured bilaterally over frontal and temporal areas using functional Near Infra-red Spectroscopy (fNIRS) whilst the dyads were asked to play with child-friendly toys together (interactive condition) and separately (independent condition). Communication patterns were captured via video recordings and conversational turns were coded. Compared to the independent condition, mother-child dyads showed increased neural synchrony in the interactive condition across the prefrontal cortex and temporo-parietal junction. There was no significant relationship found between neural synchrony and turn-taking and between neural synchrony and the personality traits of each member of the dyad. Overall, we demonstrate the feasibility of measuring inter-brain synchrony between mothers and children in a naturalistic environment. These findings can inform future study designs to assess inter-brain synchrony between parents and pre-lingual children and/or children with communication needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efstratia Papoutselou
- Hearing Sciences, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Nottingham, UK
| | - Samantha Harrison
- Hearing Sciences, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Nottingham, UK
| | - Guangting Mai
- Hearing Sciences, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Nottingham, UK
| | - Bryony Buck
- Hearing Sciences - Scottish Section, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Nikita Patil
- Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Nottingham, UK
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Ian Wiggins
- Hearing Sciences, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Nottingham, UK
| | - Douglas Hartley
- Hearing Sciences, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Nottingham, UK
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
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Kamila G, Gulati S. Navigating the Frontiers in Childhood Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Unravelling Challenges in South-East Asia. WHO South East Asia J Public Health 2023; 12:81-84. [PMID: 38848526 DOI: 10.4103/who-seajph.whoseajph_6_24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Gautam Kamila
- Department of Pediatrics, Child Neurology Division, Centre of Excellence and Advanced Research for Childhood Neurodevelopmental Disorders, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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The Impact of a Family-Centred Intervention for Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities: A Model Project in Rural Ireland. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:children10020175. [PMID: 36832304 PMCID: PMC9954624 DOI: 10.3390/children10020175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The greater risk of poor mental health and social isolation, experienced by parents of children with developmental disabilities, is compounded by family circumstances and living in rural settings. Often parents receive little personal support. Family-centred interventions have been recommended internationally for promoting children's development, as well as boosting parental wellbeing. Yet, in many countries, current service provision is predominately child-focused and clinic-centred. An innovative, family-centred support service was designed and evaluated in a rural county of Ireland. Support staff visit the family home every month for around one year with regular check-ins by phone. The service aims included setting developmental goals for the child that were agreed with parents, alongside actions to address the personal needs of parents and siblings. In addition, community activities are identified or created to promote the social inclusion of the child and family in local communities, as well as locating opportunities for social activities for mothers. To date, 96 families with 110 children have been involved and three monthly reviews have been undertaken of each child's progress. Baseline measures on parents' mental health and social isolation were gathered and repeated when parents had completed their involvement with the project, along with qualitative information regarding the parents' experiences. Most children attained their learning targets, alongside those selected as personal goals by parents; in particular, parents reported their child's greater involvement in community activities, increased knowledge and skills, and with more confidence and resilience. Significant increases in parental well-being scores were reported, but there was a limited impact on their social participation and that of their child. This evidence-based model of provision is an example of how current social care provision for families who have a child with developmental disabilities could be cost-effectively re-envisioned even in rural areas.
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Yosep I, Prayogo SA, Kohar K, Andrew H, Mardhiyah A, Amirah S, Maulana S. Managing Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Face of Pandemic Using Internet-Based Parent-Mediated Interventions: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:children9101483. [PMID: 36291419 PMCID: PMC9600965 DOI: 10.3390/children9101483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is primarily treated with psychosocial intervention. However, it is costly and requires extensive resources to be effective. This inaccessibility is also further worsened by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, making the shift to a digital approach a sensible option. Among the available ASD therapies, parent-mediated interventions (PMIs) have a broad application and lower implementation cost. Hence, this systematic review aims to evaluate the potential that telehealth-based PMI holds and explore its feasibility throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. To build up this study, a systematic search through PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Wiley, and Cochrane was performed until 14 January 2021. Using the preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines, we ultimately included six studies in the review. Each study was evaluated utilizing the Cochrane Risk of Bias (ROB)-2 tool. Generally, parents' outcomes (knowledge, satisfaction, and compliance) were higher in intervention group (E-learning) compared to control (standard treatment or wait-list). Children also showed some improvements in social skill, communication skill, and intelligence after receiving the treatment. In addition, coaching or therapist sessions were found to be crucial as adjuvant to support parents during the intervention. In conclusion, internet-based parent-mediated interventions are promising and recommended for managing ASD patients, in the face of pandemic. However, more variety in study locations is also needed, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, to tackle the knowledge and clinical application gap. Further research should be conducted with a uniform measurement tool to achieve the same perception and reliable pooled analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iyus Yosep
- Department of Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung 45363, Indonesia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +62-813-9466-5577
| | | | - Kelvin Kohar
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Depok City 16424, Indonesia
| | - Hubert Andrew
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Depok City 16424, Indonesia
| | - Ai Mardhiyah
- Department of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung 45363, Indonesia
| | - Shakira Amirah
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Depok City 16424, Indonesia
| | - Sidik Maulana
- Professional Nursing Program, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung 45363, Indonesia
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Nikolova SP, Pancheva-Dimitrova RZ, Yoncheva N, Vasileva V, Cherkezova B. Essential elements of a care delivery model for children with neurological impairments during the COVID-19 pandemic: Notes from Bulgaria. Front Public Health 2022; 10:932847. [PMID: 36033756 PMCID: PMC9413062 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.932847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Silviya Pavlova Nikolova
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Care Organisation, Medical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria,*Correspondence: Silviya Pavlova Nikolova
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Pervin M, Ahmed HU, Hagmayer Y. Effectiveness of interventions for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder in high-income vs. lower middle-income countries: An overview of systematic reviews and research papers from LMIC. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:834783. [PMID: 35990045 PMCID: PMC9386527 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.834783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is a multitude of systematic reviews of interventions for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, most reviews seem to be based on research conducted in High-Income Countries (HIC). Thus, summary findings may not directly apply to Lower Middle-Income Countries (LMIC). Therefore, we conducted a Meta-Review analyzing systematic reviews on the effectiveness of interventions for target outcomes in children and adolescents with ASD to find out whether there are differences in effectiveness between HIC and LMIC and which interventions can be considered evidence-based in LMIC. Methods Electronic databases (PsycINFO, PubMed, Cochrane database of systematic reviews) were searched for reviews on interventions for ASD in children and adolescents from January 2011 through December 2021, which included studies not coming from HIC. Systematic reviews with qualitative and quantitative syntheses of findings were included. Two investigators independently assessed studies against predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria and extracted relevant data including quality and evidence assessments. Evidence for different types of interventions in HIC vs. LMIC was planned to be compared, but none of the reviews assessed potential differences. Therefore, a narrative review of the studies from LMIC was conducted including an assessment of quality and evidence. Results Thirty-five reviews fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Eleven considered findings from HIC and LMIC. Sixty-nine percent included studies with various research designs; 63% provided a qualitative synthesis of findings; 77% percent assessed the quality of studies; 43% systematically assessed the level of evidence across studies. No review compared evidence from HIC and LMIC. A review of the studies from LMIC found some promising results, but the evidence was not sufficient due to a small number of studies, sometimes poor quality, and small sample sizes. Conclusion Systematic reviews on interventions for children and adolescents with ASD did not look for potential differences in the effectiveness of interventions in HIC and LMIC. Overall, there is very little evidence from LMIC. None of the interventions can be considered evidence-based in LMIC. Hence, additional research and mutually agreed methodological standards are needed to provide a more secure basis for evidence-based treatments in LMIC trying to establish evidence-based practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maleka Pervin
- Institute of Psychology, Georg August University of Goettingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Psychology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Helal Uddin Ahmed
- Department of Child Adolescent and Family Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - York Hagmayer
- Institute of Psychology, Georg August University of Goettingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Flenik TMN, Bara TS, Cordeiro ML. Family Functioning and Emotional Aspects of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Southern Brazil. J Autism Dev Disord 2022; 53:2306-2313. [PMID: 35298757 PMCID: PMC8929243 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05497-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects children and their families. We investigated the family environment of children with ASD in Brazil. Twenty-one families participated. Outcome measures administered to parents included the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Questionnaire on Resources and Stress—Short Form, and the Family Environment Scale. All families reported a number of difficulties, including social interactions and peer relationships, stress levels, and communication difficulties. Families also reported great concern for their child’s future. Brazil is a developing country, yet there are few national resources and studies related to ASD. The challenges continue from diagnosis through treatment. Our results emphasize the need to understand the family environment of children with autism and their parents’ apprehensions to develop effective coping programs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tiago S Bara
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, Brazil.,Instituto de Pesquisa Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Av. Silva Jardim, 1632, Curitiba, PR, 80250-200, Brazil
| | - Mara L Cordeiro
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, Brazil. .,Instituto de Pesquisa Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Av. Silva Jardim, 1632, Curitiba, PR, 80250-200, Brazil. .,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Quality of life of mothers of children and adolescents with mental health problems in Mongolia: associations with the severity of children's mental health problems and family structure. Glob Ment Health (Camb) 2022; 9:298-305. [PMID: 36618750 PMCID: PMC9806993 DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2022.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), most parents of children with mental health problems receive limited support from social and health services while caring for their children. However, research on the quality of life (QOL) of these parents in LMICs is limited. This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal QOL and children's mental health problems, and other related factors in Mongolia. METHODS A cross-sectional analysis of children aged 4-17 years who lived in Ulaanbaatar and visited the National Mental Health Centre in Mongolia and their mothers was conducted. The mothers' QOL was assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF, and the severity of children's mental health problems was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed using the mothers' WHOQOL domain scores as dependent variables and the children's SDQ scores and demographic and socioeconomic factors as explanatory variables. RESULTS A total of 242 child-mother dyads were included in this study, and 231 dyads were included in the multivariate regression analyses. Children's SDQ internalising scores were negatively associated with all four maternal QOL domain scores, while their externalising scores were negatively associated with maternal physical and psychological domain scores. Non-cohabitation of fathers was negatively associated with physical, social, and environmental domain scores, and non-cohabitation of grandparents was associated with psychological and environmental domain scores. CONCLUSIONS In Mongolia, maternal QOL is influenced by the severity of children's mental health problems and family member support. These findings highlight the importance of developing systems to support all families.
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Li F, Wu D, Ren F, Shen L, Xue M, Yu J, Zhang L, Tang Y, Liu X, Tao M, Zhou L, Jiang L, Xu M, Li F. Effectiveness of Online-Delivered Project ImPACT for Children With ASD and Their Parents: A Pilot Study During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:806149. [PMID: 35401276 PMCID: PMC8987566 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.806149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE During the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face intervention services for families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-week, online-delivered Project ImPACT program for children with ASD and their parents in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A pilot non-randomized study with a waitlist control group was conducted in 68 children with ASD and their parents in the Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics between April 15, 2020 and March 19, 2021. Participants were allocated to either the intervention (IG) or the waitlist group (WLG) according to their order of recruitment. Parents in the IG immediately received 8 weeks of the online-delivered Project ImPACT program, and the WLG received the same program with a delay when the IG had completed all sessions. Participants in both groups received treatment as usual during the research period. RESULTS The online-delivered Project ImPACT program significantly improved the parent-reported social communication skills of children with ASD. Furthermore, parent's involvement in the training program produced a collateral reduction in parenting stress and an increase in perceived competence in the parental role. Parents rated the program acceptable in terms of curriculum schedule, session content, homework assignments, and therapist feedback. CONCLUSIONS The 8-week, online-delivered Project ImPACT program is a feasible and effective social skill training program for families of children with ASD in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the methodological limitations, randomized controlled studies with larger sample sizes are suggested to provide more solid evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fēi Li
- School of Nursing, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric and Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Ministry of Education (MOE)-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Danping Wu
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric and Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Ministry of Education (MOE)-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Ren
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric and Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Ministry of Education (MOE)-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lixiao Shen
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric and Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Ministry of Education (MOE)-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Minbo Xue
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric and Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Ministry of Education (MOE)-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Juehua Yu
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric and Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Ministry of Education (MOE)-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingli Zhang
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric and Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Ministry of Education (MOE)-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Tang
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric and Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Ministry of Education (MOE)-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Faculty of Education, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric and Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Ministry of Education (MOE)-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Minyi Tao
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric and Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Ministry of Education (MOE)-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Zhou
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric and Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Ministry of Education (MOE)-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Psychology and Neuroscience of Cognition Research Unit, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Liping Jiang
- Department of Nursing, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingyu Xu
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric and Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Ministry of Education (MOE)-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric and Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Ministry of Education (MOE)-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Feasibility of a school-based mental health program implementation to improve the status of depression and quality of life of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders in urban Bangladesh: MENTHOL study. Glob Ment Health (Camb) 2022; 9:146-156. [PMID: 36618722 PMCID: PMC9806996 DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2022.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We assessed the feasibility of implementing psychological counseling services (PCS) for mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) integrated within special education settings in urban Bangladesh. METHOD In two special education schools for ASD in Dhaka City, trained female psychologists screened mothers using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). PCS was administered to all the mothers irrespective of a diagnosis of depression. Mothers with a PHQ-9 score >4 who met criteria for a major depressive episode (MDE) based on the DSM-IV Structured Interview Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) were also administered skill-building training through monthly home visits to support ASD care. The level of depression was assessed by the Depression Measurement Scale (DMS), and quality of life (QoL) was measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of EQ5D5L scale before and after PCS. RESULT Among 188 mothers enrolled in the study, 81 (43%) received PCS, and 27.1% (22) had MDE. In the first month, 73 sessions were scheduled and 60 completed (85%). In the last month, 53 sessions were scheduled and 52 completed (98%). The mean DMS score decreased from 79.5 ± 23 to 60 ± 20 (p = 0.004), and DMS scores were significantly higher among mothers with MDE (97.8 ± 12.1 v. 69.9 ± 22.1; p < 0.001) compared to those without MDE (72.7 ± 22.6 v. 56.1 ± 18.1; p = 0.003). The mean VAS score improved from 70.3 ± 14.1 to 80.2 ± 13.3 (p = 0.001) between the first and the last session. Changes in DMS were negatively correlated with changes in VAS scores (β: -0.213, 95% CI 0.370 to -0.056). CONCLUSION Within special education schools for ASD in urban Bangladesh, it was feasible to administer an integrated program of PCS for mothers of children with ASD by trained psychologists who were able to screen and intervene to reduce their level of depression and improve their quality of life.
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Rabbani M, Haque MM, Das Dipal D, Zarif MII, Iqbal A, Schwichtenberg A, Bansal N, Soron TR, Ahmed SI, Ahamed SI. An mCARE study on patterns of risk and resilience for children with ASD in Bangladesh. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21342. [PMID: 34725409 PMCID: PMC8560902 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00793-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Community-wide lockdowns in response to COVID-19 influenced many families, but the developmental cascade for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be especially detrimental. Our objective was to evaluate behavioral patterns of risk and resilience for children with ASD across parent-report assessments before (from November 2019 to February 2020), during (March 2020 to May 2020), and after (June 2020 to November 2020) an extended COVID-19 lockdown. In 2020, our study Mobile-based care for children with ASD using remote experience sampling method (mCARE) was inactive data collection before COVID-19 emerged as a health crisis in Bangladesh. Here we deployed "Cohort Studies", where we had in total 300 children with ASD (150 test group and 150 control group) to collect behavioral data. Our data collection continued through an extended COVID-19 lockdown and captured parent reports of 30 different behavioral parameters (e.g., self-injurious behaviors, aggression, sleep problems, daily living skills, and communication) across 150 children with ASD (test group). Based on the children's condition, 4-6 behavioral parameters were assessed through the study. A total of 56,290 behavioral data points was collected (an average of 152.19 per week) from parent cell phones using the mCARE platform. Children and their families were exposed to an extended COVID-19 lockdown. The main outcomes used for this study were generated from parent reports child behaviors within the mCARE platform. Behaviors included of child social skills, communication use, problematic behaviors, sensory sensitivities, daily living, and play. COVID-19 lockdowns for children with autism and their families are not universally negative but supports in the areas of "Problematic Behavior" could serve to mitigate future risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masud Rabbani
- Ubicomp Lab, Department of Computer Science, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA.
| | - Munirul M Haque
- R.B. Annis School of Engineering, University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46227, USA
| | - Dipranjan Das Dipal
- Ubicomp Lab, Department of Computer Science, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA
| | - Md Ishrak Islam Zarif
- Ubicomp Lab, Department of Computer Science, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA
| | - Anik Iqbal
- Ubicomp Lab, Department of Computer Science, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA
| | - Amy Schwichtenberg
- College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Naveen Bansal
- Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | | | - Syed Ishtiaque Ahmed
- Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 2E4, Canada
| | - Sheikh Iqbal Ahamed
- Ubicomp Lab, Department of Computer Science, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA
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