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. 2024 Mar 12;19(1):115.
doi: 10.1186/s13023-024-03093-1.

Pilot study of the effectiveness of a telehealth group for improving peer relationships for adolescents with neurofibromatosis type 1

Danielle M Glad  1 , Sara K Pardej  2 , Ellen Olszewski  2 , Bonita P Klein-Tasman  2
Affiliations

Pilot study of the effectiveness of a telehealth group for improving peer relationships for adolescents with neurofibromatosis type 1

Danielle M Glad et al. Orphanet J Rare Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Interventions for social difficulties have not been investigated in the neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) population despite observations of elevated rates of social difficulties. In this pilot study, the effectiveness of a 14-week telehealth PEERS® intervention with nineteen adolescents with NF1 (Mage=13.79 years, SD = 1.32) with social skills difficulties was examined. Measures of social outcomes were completed at three timepoints (before, immediately after, and at 14-week follow-up).

Results: Caregiver-reported social-emotional skills, social impairment, caregiver-reported number of adolescent get-togethers, and teen social knowledge showed significant improvement following the intervention.

Conclusions: The PEERS® intervention is promising to support the social and friendship skills of adolescents with NF1 who have social difficulties.

Keywords: NF1; Neurofibromatosis type 1; PEERS®; Social; Telehealth; Virtual.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow of study participants from recruitment to follow-up. Reason for exclusion indicated when applicable. Participants who dropped out are also specified
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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