NCT02970565

Brief Summary

The purpose of this current study is to investigate the efficacy of a group model of Family Nurture Intervention in ameliorating behavioral problems in preschool-aged children. The behavioral, neurobiological and clinical insights gained from this project may eventually lead to better treatment of emotional, behavioral and developmental disorders. The investigator hypothesizes that the children who are treated with Family Nurture Intervention (FNI), which incorporates interactive touch with vocal soothing, and family practice in comforting, will show increased emotional connection and mother child co-regulation with better results in the outcome measures in the short term and long term.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
106

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Oct 2016

Typical duration for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

October 1, 2016

Completed
2 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

November 18, 2016

Completed
4 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

November 22, 2016

Completed
2.4 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

May 1, 2019

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

May 1, 2019

Completed
Last Updated

February 15, 2023

Status Verified

February 1, 2023

Enrollment Period

2.6 years

First QC Date

November 18, 2016

Last Update Submit

February 13, 2023

Conditions

Keywords

Family Nurture InterventionMartha G. Welch MDRandomized Control TrialPre-school InterventionPreschool InterventionMultiple Family Group InterventionEmotional ConnectionCo-regulation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Change in Childhood Behavior Checklist (CBCL) Score

    The Childhood Behavior Checklist (CBCL) is a device by which parents or other individuals who know the child well rate a child's problem behaviors and competencies. This instrument can either be self-administered or administered through an interview. The CBCL can also be used to measure a child's change in behavior over time or following a treatment. The first section of this questionnaire consists of 20 competence items and the second section consists of 120 items on behavior or emotional problems.

    Baseline, 6 months

Secondary Outcomes (3)

  • Co-regulation of Vagal Tone

    Up to 12 months

  • Change in Maternal Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms

    Up to 12 months

  • Changes in Welch Emotional Connection Scale

    Up to 12 months

Study Arms (2)

Nutrition and Play Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Mother-child dyads who are enrolled into the study will be randomly assigned to the Nutrition and Play Intervention group.

Behavioral: Nutrition and Play Intervention

Family Nurture Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Mother-child dyads who are enrolled into the study will be randomly assigned to the Family Nurture Intervention group.

Behavioral: Family Nurture Intervention

Interventions

The mother-child pair will be asked to talk and play with each other as they customarily do. If the child becomes restless and dysregulated the mother will be coached by the Nurture Specialist to bring the child back into a calm state through sustained physical contact, comfort touch, soothing words, and eye contact.

Also known as: FNI
Family Nurture Intervention

Mothers and children in the Play and Nutrition group will play educational and nutrition-focused games.

Also known as: NPI
Nutrition and Play Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

Age24 Months - 54 Months
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsChild (0-17)

You may qualify if:

  • Child is a singleton
  • Mother can speak in English or Spanish
  • Child is between the ages of 2 to 4 ½ years at date of enrollment
  • Mother is 18 years of age or older at the time of consent
  • Child demonstrates developmental deficit as measured by the SDQ (cutoff of 13 or more on the total score excluding the pro-social questions; OR 4 or less on the pro-social questions, which are reverse scored i.e. higher is better)
  • Child must reside with mother

You may not qualify if:

  • The child has severe congenital anomalies or chromosomal anomalies including Downs syndrome and Cerebral Palsy
  • The child has a diagnosis of Autism
  • The child has severe motor or physical disability
  • Mother currently presents with psychosis or is currently taking antipsychotic medication
  • Current maternal drug and/or alcohol abuse
  • Mother has any current involvement with Child Protective Services (Department of Children and Families)
  • Mother is pregnant
  • Mother and/or infant has a medical condition or contagion that precludes intervention components

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Norwalk Housing Authority

Cos Cob, Connecticut, 06807, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Welch MG, Ludwig RJ, Hane AA, Austin J, Markowitz ES, Jaffe ME, Myers MM. Preschool-based mother-child emotional preparation program improves emotional connection, behavior regulation in the home and classroom: a randomized controlled trial. Front Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2023 Oct 20;2:1232515. doi: 10.3389/frcha.2023.1232515. eCollection 2023.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Mental DisordersLearning DisabilitiesAffective Symptoms

Interventions

Nutritional Status

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Communication DisordersNeurobehavioral ManifestationsNeurologic ManifestationsNervous System DiseasesSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and SymptomsNeurodevelopmental DisordersBehavioral SymptomsBehavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Nutritional Physiological PhenomenaDiet, Food, and NutritionPhysiological PhenomenaHealth StatusDemographyPopulation Characteristics

Study Officials

  • Martha G Welch, MD

    Columbia University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
Purpose
OTHER
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Associate Professor of Psychiatry (in Pediatrics and Pathology and Cell Biology)

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

November 18, 2016

First Posted

November 22, 2016

Study Start

October 1, 2016

Primary Completion

May 1, 2019

Study Completion

May 1, 2019

Last Updated

February 15, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-02

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations