Re-Implementation of Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) in the Community: Findings From a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Open Access
- 1 February 2025
- journal article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Implementation Research and Practice
- Vol. 6
Abstract
Background: This study explored the feasibility, acceptability, and Māori cultural responsivity of study methods and components of an intervention to support clinicians to resume implementation of Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), an evidence-based treatment for disruptive behavior in young children. Method: This pragmatic, parallel-arm, randomized, controlled pilot trial ran for a 6-month period and included PCIT-trained clinicians who were not delivering, or only rarely using PCIT in their work. Re-implementation strategies were systematically developed and theory-driven and included a mobile co-worker, a portable time-out space, audio-visual equipment, weekly consultation groups, and 2-day targeted PCIT refresher training. Results: Pre-specified progression criteria included enrolling 20 clinicians, a maximum of 20% attrition, and a monthly survey response rate of at least 80%. Fourteen clinicians enrolled in the trial, there was no attrition, and an 89.8% average survey response rate was achieved. Secondary outcomes included clinician ratings of the usefulness and acceptability of intervention components. The time-out cubicle was considered relatively less useful and acceptable, while the refresher training and manuals were preferred. Study methods and intervention components were considered acceptable by the small proportion of Māori participants. Clinician self-reported Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation to implement PCIT fluctuated monthly across both groups. Pre-/post-changes in each domain within the Theoretical Domains Framework generally showed similar improvement from baseline to follow-up in both groups. There was no observable difference in PCIT adoption in either group. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to pragmatically attempt to re-implement a parent training intervention in a community setting, several years after clinicians’ initial training in the approach (here, an average of 5.36 years). Low attrition and high survey response rates highlighted the feasibility of the data collection methodology. Important opportunities to improve the design of an adequately powered definitive trial are highlighted to minimize future resource waste.Keywords
Funding Information
- Health Research Council of New Zealand (Clinical Research Training Fellowship)
This publication has 44 references indexed in Scilit:
- Instrumentation issues in implementation scienceImplementation Science, 2014
- Better reporting of interventions: template for intervention description and replication (TIDieR) checklist and guideBMJ, 2014
- A process for Decision-making after Pilot and feasibility Trials (ADePT): development following a feasibility study of a complex intervention for pelvic organ prolapseTrials, 2013
- Theories of behaviour change synthesised into a set of theoretical groupings: introducing a thematic series on the theoretical domains frameworkImplementation Science, 2012
- The behaviour change wheel: A new method for characterising and designing behaviour change interventionsImplementation Science, 2011
- Normalisation process theory: a framework for developing, evaluating and implementing complex interventionsBMC Medicine, 2010
- The role of therapist training in the implementation of psychosocial treatments: A review and critique with recommendationsClinical Psychology Review, 2010
- Behavioral Outcomes of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy and Triple P—Positive Parenting Program: A Review and Meta-AnalysisJournal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 2007
- The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule—Generic: A Standard Measure of Social and Communication Deficits Associated with the Spectrum of AutismJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2000
- Evaluating the public health impact of health promotion interventions: the RE-AIM framework.American Journal of Public Health, 1999