Mobile App-Based Intervention to Improve Toothbrushing in Children and Teens With Autism

Part of paid clinical trials in Seattle, Washington.

Sponsor
University of Washington
Study ID
NCT07446413
Status
Enrolling By Invitation

Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
8 Years - 17 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Brush Up App — BEHAVIORAL
    The Brush Up app is an autism-friendly mobile app modified to improve toothbrushing skills and habits in children with autism spectrum disorder and includes a health education module, a cartoon role model, toothbrushing instructional song, digital screen mirror, and customizable app features.
  • Brush Down App — BEHAVIORAL
    The Brush Down app provides health education module, a digital screen mirror and a countdown timer. This app does not include autism-friendly features.

Study Details

The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether the autism-friendly app improves toothbrushing outcomes compared to a control app with only a digital mirror and countdown timer among children and teens (ages 8-17 years) with autism. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Will toothbrushing distribution, duration, and frequency be greater in the experimental arm than in the control arm? 2. Will toothbrushing habit formation be higher in the experimental arm than in the control arm? 3. Is caregiver and child self-efficacy a mediator of toothbrushing habit formation? 4. Do children who exhibit habit formation report better oral health-related quality of life? Participants will: 1. Use either the autism-friendly app or the control app during their daily toothbrushing routine for 3 months. 2. Complete surveys and assessments about toothbrushing behaviors and oral health over the course of the study.

Key Dates

Start date
May 7, 2026
Status verified
May 2026
Primary completion
Aug 31, 2028
Completion
Aug 31, 2029

Study Design

Enrollment
270 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Experimental
    Dyads in the experimental arm will use the modified, experimental version of the app (Brush Up) twice a day for 3 months.
  • Placebo Comparator: Control
    Dyads assigned to the control arm will use the control version of the app (Brush Down) twice-per-day for 3-months.

Primary Outcome Measure

Toothbrushing distribution [ Time Frame: The primary outcome will be measured based on data from week 12 of the 3-month trial. ]

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
University of Washington School of DentistrySeattleWashington98195-

Find similar trials in Seattle, WA

By condition
Autism spectrum disorder
By specialty
Pediatrics
By research site
University of Washington School of Dentistry· Seattle, WA

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