Can lifestyle coaching and therapy protect autistic teens from heart disease?
NCT ID NCT07673172
First seen Jun 29, 2026 · Last updated Sep 11, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests two approaches—lifestyle medicine consultations and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—to reduce cardiovascular risk in autistic individuals aged 9 to 26 who have a high body mass index. Participants are randomly assigned to receive lifestyle coaching, CBT sessions, or both over six months. Researchers will measure changes in diet, physical activity, stress, and heart health indicators like blood pressure and waist circumference.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Lifestyle medicine consultations and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward effective ways to lower heart disease risk in autistic young people by improving lifestyle habits and managing stress.
- What could go wrong
- This is a relatively small, early-stage behavioral study, so results may not apply broadly. Participants must attend multiple virtual sessions, which may be challenging for some families.
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
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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
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About 130 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Aug 2026
- Expected to finish
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Aug 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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9 to 26 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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 Hide 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: * • Have a diagnosis of autism or be told by a healthcare provider that you have autism * Be between the ages of 9 and 26 * Have a BMI greater than the 84th percentile * English speaking Exclusion Criteria: * • Children younger than 9 years of age * Adults older than 26 years of age * Individuals without a diagnosis of autism * Individuals with a BMI less than the 84th percentile
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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
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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1100 Glendon Ave
Los Angeles, California, 90024, United States
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