The Effectiveness of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a type of parent-based intervention, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy will lower symptoms of behavior problems in young children more than treatment as usual.

Detailed Description
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Behaviour problems, i.e. symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD) are among the prevalent psychiatric disorders in children and one of the leading causes of help-seeking for mental health problems in children. There are several efficacious treatments for such problems in young children. However, most of these require that parents meet in groups. This is not always feasible. It is therefore a need to develop treatments that can deal with parents and families individually. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is such an individually based treatment. Efficacy studies indicate symptom reduction greater that in treatment as usual (TAU). However, there is a need to study its effectiveness in ordinary clinical practise. This trial will study its effect in ordinary psychiatric clinics in the middle of Norway and compare it to the regular treatment (TAU) provided to young children with behavior problems in these clinics.

Official Title
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The Effectiveness of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) in Treating Behavior Problems in Young Children

Conditions
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Behavior Problems, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy
* Behavioral: TAU


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Referred to Child mental health specialty clinic for behavioral or attentional/hyperactive problems ECBI score of > 120 2 to 7 years of age Parental consent to the study Exclusion Criteria: Psychosis or serious drug abuse in parents Lack of sufficient proficiency in Norwegian to fill in the questionnaires Mental retardation or pervasive developmental disorder in the child Suspicion of parental neglect or abuse of the child warranting a report to the child protection services

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 2 Years
Maximum Age: 7 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: PCIT<br>Provision of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy | Behavioral: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy<br>* Parents will be trained in interaction with their children in ways which foster non-hostility and cooperation in their children. By means of an ear-plug they will receive instruction on how to play and set limits for their child from their therapist who watches the interaction through a one-way mirror. Treatment is given until the parent masters these skill, which commonly takes 15-20 session of 1 hour.<br>|
| Active Comparator: TAU<br>Treatment as usual from other therapists in the same clinics | Behavioral: TAU<br>* Usual treatment for behavioral disorders<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI) | ECBI is taken at study entry, after 6 months and after 18 months | Pre intervention, 6 months, 18 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System (DPICS) | Parent-child interaction coded from standardized situations | Pre intervention, 6 months, 18 months | 
| Parenting Stress Index | Number and degree of perceived stresses by parents | Pre intervention, 6 months, 18 months | 
| Working Model of the Child Interview (WMCI) | Parents' attachment to the child | Pre intervention, 6 months, 18 months | 
| Child Behavior Check List (CBCL)/Teacher Report Form (TRF) | Psychiatric symptoms as rated by parents and teachers, respectively | Pre intervention, 6 months, 18 months | 
| Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) | Depressive symptoms in parents | Pre intervention, 6 months, 18 months | 
| Parental Locus of Control - Short Form (PLOC-SF) | Parents' perceptions of internal versus external locus of control | Pre intervention, 6 months, 18 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Behavior problems, Parent-Child Interaction, Locus of control, Psychiatric symptoms, Depressive symptoms, Attachment