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Testing Scalable Caregiver Interventions for Autism

This study is testing two ways to deliver a group-based training program for caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). One group will receive "Professionally-facilitated groups" led by trained therapists or teachers, while another will receive "Peer-facilitated groups" led by trained caregivers. The goal is to see if these programs can improve family burden and stress, and the impact of autism, measured at the start and after 3 months. You may be able to join if you are a caregiver of a child aged 2 to 8 years with concerns suggestive of autism, you speak Swahili or English, and your child does not have significant vision or hearing impairment. This study plans to enroll 320 participants, but its current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 320 participants to compare two different group-based caregiver interventions.
What's involved
You would participate in a 10-week in-person or virtual curriculum for professionally-facilitated groups, or complete content within four months for peer-facilitated groups. Your family burden and stress, and the Autism Impact Measure (AIM), will be assessed at the start and at 3 months.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your progress will be followed for 3 months after the start of the intervention, based on the primary endpoint timeframes.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07259044

Pepea Pamoja: Cluster-Randomized Trial for Caregivers of Children With Autism in Kenya

Not Yet Recruiting
NAAges 18–90InterventionalSupportive care
Indiana University
~240 participants
Updated 2026-08-31 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Professionally-facilitated groupsPeer-facilitated groups

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Family Burden and Stress
Measured over Baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism
ASD

Explore related trials

Autism Spectrum Disorder

NCT07259044

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital

    Eldoret, Kenyano site contact published

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • Eren Oyungu, MBChB · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Moi University
  • Megan S. McHenry, MD, MS · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Indiana University

Who to contact

Ananda Ombitsa
[email protected]
+254 718 748 223
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Caregiver age ≥18 years
Able to provide informed consent
English or Kiswahili speaking
Primary caregiver and legal guardian
Provides ≥20 hours/week caregiving
Resides within MTRH catchment area
Intends to attend study activities
Child 2-8 years of age
Child has autism diagnosis or meets study eligibility criteria for suspected autism

Exclusion

Caregiver lacks capacity to provide informed consent.
Child has a vision or hearing impairment that would preclude valid participation in the intervention or outcome assessments.
Child is currently receiving another structured autism intervention at enrollment.

What this trial measures

  • Family Burden and StressBaseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up

    Change in caregiver-reported burden and stress levels from baseline to 3 months, measured using the Caregiver Self-Assessment Questionnaire developed by the American Medical Association. This 18-item tool includes 16 yes/no items assessing emotional and physical strain, one item rating stress on a scale from 1 (no stress) to 10 (high stress), and one item comparing current health to health one year ago. Higher scores indicate greater caregiver burden and stress.

  • Child Functional CommunicationBaseline, immediately post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up

    Change in child functional communication measured using the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales (CSBS). Higher scores indicate stronger communication skills and improved functional communication abilities.