Can a Four-Week program ease the burden on autism caregivers?

NCT ID NCT07722949

What the study statuses mean

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Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now This study
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

Details not published
The full record has not been published yet, so there is little to show here.
Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Jul 23, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial tests whether a culturally adapted, nurse-led program called COPE can improve the psychological wellbeing of primary caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder in Pakistan. The program includes four weekly sessions focused on coping skills, emotional regulation, and positive parenting. Researchers will measure changes in depression, anxiety, and stress one month after the intervention.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
a culturally adapted, nurse-led behavioral and psychoeducational program called Creating Opportunities for Parent Empowerment (COPE)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a practical, low-cost way to improve mental health for caregivers of children with autism in Pakistan.
What could go wrong
This is a small feasibility study, not a large definitive trial. The results may not apply to other settings, and the program may not reduce distress more than routine care.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 77 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Jul 2026

Expected to finish

May 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female primary caregivers aged 18 years or older. * Primary caregiver of a child with a confirmed diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). * Able to communicate in Urdu. * Willing and able to provide written informed consent. * Available to attend all intervention sessions and follow-up assessments. Exclusion Criteria: * Caregivers currently participating in another structured psychosocial, behavioral, or parenting intervention. * Caregivers with a diagnosed severe psychiatric illness or cognitive impairment that would interfere with participation. * Caregivers unable to communicate effectively in Urdu. * Caregivers who decline or are unable to provide informed consent. * Caregivers who are unavailable to complete the intervention or follow-up assessments.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

How to take part

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  1. The places running it

    1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.

  2. The official record

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Children Hospital Complex and Institute of Child Health

    RECRUITING

    Faisalābad, Punjab Province, 38000, Pakistan

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