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

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 (M_age=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.