RecruitingInterventional

Augmented depression therapy adapted for treating depression in adults with autism

Depression is common in autistic adults, but current treatments don't always fully meet their needs. This study explores a new talking therapy called Augmented Depression Therapy (ADepT). ADepT aims to not only lessen feelings of sadness and worry but also to improve overall wellbeing and daily life skills. Early results from other groups are promising, and this project will check if ADepT is suitable and helpful for autistic adults with depression. The main goals are to see if the therapy works well, is safe, and shows early signs of improving mood and quality of life. If successful, this small study will help pave the way for a bigger research project.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Exeter

Enrolment target

Start

17 Nov 2025

Estimated completion

01 Jun 2027

Treatment of depression in autistic adults

What is this study about?

Many autistic adults experience depression, and sometimes the usual treatments don't quite fit their unique needs. Standard therapies often focus a lot on simply reducing symptoms like low mood and negative thoughts. However, it's also really important to help people build up their general wellbeing and get back to enjoying everyday activities.

This study is looking at a new type of talking therapy called Augmented Depression Therapy (ADepT). The idea behind ADepT is to do more than just ease distress; it also aims to help people actively improve their quality of life and how they function day-to-day. We've seen good results with ADepT in other groups of people, and now we want to understand if it's a good approach for autistic adults who are feeling depressed.

The main goals of this research are to figure out if ADepT is a suitable and helpful treatment for autistic people, if it's safe to use, and if we can see early signs that it's truly making a difference to their mood and overall wellbeing. If this initial study goes well, it will provide important information to help us plan a larger trial in the future, ultimately aiming to offer better support to autistic adults struggling with depression.

Key takeaways

Tests a new therapy (ADepT) for depression in autistic adults.
Aims to reduce distress and build wellbeing and daily functioning.
Involves up to 15 weekly therapy sessions (in-person or video).
Participation includes questionnaires and optional interviews.
Risk of temporary distress, but closely monitored.
Helps develop better future treatments for autistic adults.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 and over who have depression as their main health concern. You would need to either have a formal diagnosis of autism, or score highly on a screening questionnaire for autism.

To be eligible, your depression also needs to meet certain medical criteria, meaning it’s likely to be a significant issue for you, and score within a certain range on a depression questionnaire. You also need to live in the Devon area and be registered with a local GP there.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join, such as if you have other serious mental health conditions that need different immediate support, or health issues that would make it difficult to take part in the therapy or assessments.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or over?
Is depression your main health issue right now?
Do you have an autism diagnosis or score highly on an autism screening test?
Do you live in Devon and have a local GP there?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll first go through some screening checks to make sure the study is right for you. If you qualify, you'll then be randomly placed on a waiting list, which could be anything from 3 to 8 weeks, before your therapy starts.

The therapy itself will involve up to 15 weekly sessions, each lasting about an hour. You can choose to have these sessions in person or through video calls. After your main therapy finishes, you might also be offered some optional 'booster sessions' later on, which can help you keep up the progress you've made.

Throughout the study – before therapy starts, during it, right after it ends, and then again 2 and 6 months later – you'll be asked to complete questionnaires about your depression, anxiety, and overall wellbeing. To make sure the therapy is being given consistently, your therapy sessions will be recorded, but only with your permission. Once you've completed all your therapy, you'll also have the chance to take part in an interview to share your thoughts and feedback, which will help improve the therapy for other people in the future. The study is expected to run until May 2029, and your involvement would be for about two years overall.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer some real benefits: you might find that the ADepT therapy helps to reduce your depression and improve your overall wellbeing. Also, your participation will be very valuable in helping to create better treatments for other autistic adults with depression. As a thank you for your time, you'll receive small rewards like vouchers for completing study activities. However, it's important to be aware of some potential risks. Talking about difficult emotions during therapy can sometimes temporarily make you feel worse. There's also a chance that the therapy might not be helpful for everyone. While there's a small risk of feeling more distressed during the process, the research team will monitor you closely. If any safety concerns arise, like thoughts of self-harm, the research team will follow strict NHS safety rules, inform your GP, and make sure you receive the support you need. You always have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

The Accept Clinic (university of Exeter)
City only
Exeter, England

Common questions

What is ADepT therapy?

ADepT stands for Augmented Depression Therapy. It's a new type of talking therapy that aims to reduce depression and also help improve your overall wellbeing and daily life.

How long does the therapy last?

You would have up to 15 weekly one-hour sessions. There might also be optional 'booster sessions' later on.

Will my personal information be kept private?

Yes, your confidentiality will be protected, and all your personal information will be stored securely.

Where does the study take place?

The study is run by the University of Exeter's AccEPT Clinic, and participants will be recruited from across Devon.

Who is funding this research?

This project is part of a training programme for clinical psychologists at the University of Exeter, with support from the AccEPT clinic and other research programmes.

How to find out more

Hope Trimmer

hst203@exeter.ac.uk - Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.