The quality of evidence is downgraded by study limitations (unclear allocation concealment and lack of blinding) and by imprecise results (few patients).
A Cochrane review included 5 studies with a total of 196 subjects with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 4 studies examined social skills groups in children between the ages of 8 to 11 years, and 1 in adolescents between the ages of 11 and 17 years. All studies were conducted in the US, and the participants were all of average or above average intelligence.
Social skills groups improved overall social competence (SMD 0.47, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.78; 4 studies, n=178) and friendship quality (SMD 0.41, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.81; 2 studies, n=101). No differences were found between treatment and control groups in relation to emotional recognition (SMD 0.34, 95% CI -0.20 to 0.88; 2 studies, n=54) or social communication as related to the understanding of idioms (SMD 0.05, 95% CI -0.63 to 0.72; 1 study, n=34). Two additional quality of life outcomes were evaluated, with results of single studies suggesting decreases in loneliness (SMD -0.66, 95% CI -1.15 to -0.17; 1 study, n=68) but no effect on child or parental depression. No adverse events were reported.
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