Conclusion

The study unfortunately collected fewer than expected data at follow-up assessment time points and therefore findings related to the potential clinical effectiveness of URB remain inconclusive. From a cost-effectiveness perspective, although the evidence in this study demonstrated that URB was unlikely to be considered cost-effective at 12 months, future research in this area could potentially focus on a longer longitudinal follow-up, which could be utilised in economic modelling studies over a longer time horizon. In addition, different approaches to measuring benefit for parent/carer interventions for autistic children could be utilised to capture both potential positive change and adverse outcomes that are relevant to both autistic children and to the families of autistic children and meet the priorities of the autism community. These should include relevant non-health effects.