Actively Recruiting
Course of Face-to-face Interactions in Adults With Autism: An Exploratory Mixed Methods Experimental Design
Led by UMC Utrecht · Updated on 2025-04-13
54
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
30 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
UMC Utrecht
Lead Sponsor
D
Dimence Groep
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) make eye contact during both formal and informal conversations. The study aims to understand how the type of conversation affects eye contact in terms of length, frequency, and overall behavior. It also seeks to measure physiological responses to eye contact to see if it causes increased, decreased, or unchanged stress levels, and to compare how people with ASD respond to others' eye contact versus their own. The study uses an exploratory mixed methods design with two parts. In the first part, a researcher has a conversation with an adult with ASD, including a formal and informal phase. During this conversation, hidden recordings capture the participant's eye behavior while skin conductance and eye contact measures are recorded without the participant knowing the focus on eye contact. In the second part, the participant and researcher watch the hidden recordings together while skin conductance is recorded again and specific behaviors are noted. The setup and physiological measurements are tested beforehand. Participants will be evaluated through video, audio, and skin conductance recordings to assess frequency and duration of eye contact, arousal during eye contact, and reflection on their own eye contact. The study will measure both behavioral and physiological data during interactions and review phases. The research involves adults aged 18 to 65, including neurotypical individuals and those with ASD, and participation includes interaction sessions and follow-up observation of recorded behaviors.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Course of Face-to-face Interactions in Adults With Autism
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adults aged between 18 and 65 years
- Neurotypical adults or adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder by an internationally recognized classification
- Able to understand study instructions
- Motivated to participate in research
You will not qualify if you...
- Poor command of the Dutch language
- Use of alcohol or recreational drugs during the study
- Mentally unstable to participate
- Familiarity with treatment in the VGZ
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Single session
Participants engage in a social interaction consisting of a conversation with formal and informal phases. During this, covert recordings of eye behavior, skin conductance, and eye contact metrics are collected without the participant's awareness of the full research purpose.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Single session
Participants and researchers watch the covert recording of the participant's eye behavior. During this reflection phase, skin conductance is recorded and behavioral details are observed by the researcher.
1 visit (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Dimence Groep
Deventer, Overijssel, Netherlands, 7416 SB
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
Jos Boer, MSc
N
Nynke Boonstra, Professor
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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