Family talk therapy shows promise for autism – brain scans reveal changes
NCT ID NCT07246395
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a special type of family therapy, called Narrative Family Therapy, can improve how families with an autistic child communicate and function. Sixty-three families will either receive eight therapy sessions or play family games. Researchers will also use brain scans and heart monitors to see if the therapy changes brain activity linked to social understanding. The goal is to see if this approach can reduce stress and improve family life.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Narrative Family Therapy
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new, family-focused therapy to improve communication and well-being for families living with autism.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study (63 participants) with no blinding, so results may not apply widely. The therapy is behavioral, not a cure, and benefits may be modest.
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra
Coimbra, Portugal
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