Proof of concept trial for a new theory-based intervention to promote child and adult behavior change

Abstract

Interventions to change children's behavior typically target adults or children, but rarely both. The aims were to: (a) evaluate acceptability and feasibility of an innovative theory-based intervention designed to change both child and adult behavior, and (b) generate effect sizes for a definitive randomized controlled trial. The oral health of sixty children aged 5-9 years with a repaired cleft lip and/or palate was assessed before randomization to one of three conditions: (a) control group, (b) intervention group in which children and adults were asked to form implementation intentions, or (c) intervention plus booster group in which adults were additionally sent a reminder about the implementation intentions they and their children formed. Oral health assessments were repeated at 6-month followup alongside exit interviews. The procedures proved popular and participants exposed to the intervention additionally reported believing that forming implementation intentions was effective. Descriptive statistics generally showed oral health improvements across all conditions, although the effects were more marked in the intervention plus booster condition, where plaque improved by 44.53%, gingivitis improved by 20.00% and free sugar consumption improved by 8.92% (vs. 6.43% improvement, 15.00% deterioration and 15.58% improvement in the control group, respectively). Data collection procedures were acceptable and the intervention feasible. The effect sizes suggest that the intervention plus booster condition has sufficient promise to proceed to a fully-powered randomized controlled trial. The intervention has the potential to be adapted to tackle other child health behaviors and to be deployed at scale. Keywords Implementation intention Á Behavior change Á Randomized controlled trial Á Cleft lip Á Cleft palate Á Children Á Paediatrics Á Feasibility Á Parents Á Carers Á Oral health

"Strong Teeth": an early-phase study to assess the feasibility of an oral health intervention delivered by dental teams to parents of young children

“…Plaque scores in the 0–2-year olds varied substantially and were more difficult to undertake, which is unsurprising given the behavioural management challenges in this younger age group. This is consistent with other interventional studies that have found a bigger improvement in plaque scores in older children [ 45 ].…”

"Strong Teeth" – an Early-phase Study to Assess the Feasibility of an Oral Health Intervention Delivered by Dental Teams to Parents of Young Children

“…Plaque scores in the 0-2-year olds varied substantially and were more di cult to undertake, which is unsurprising given the behavioural management challenges in this younger age group. This is consistent with other interventional studies that have found a bigger improvement in plaque scores in older children 45 .…”

The Effects of Combined Physical and Cognitive Training on Inhibitory Control: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…While intuitive, this observation has methodological implications for studies employing single session experimental designs. Single session proof-of-concept studies are often used when exploring the merit of new intervention approaches or testing the implications of parameter modifications ( Armitage et al, 2020 ; Radley-Crabb et al, 2012 ; Turton et al, 2018 ). That the current meta-analysis found no evidence of effects on inhibitory control following a single session of combined physical and cognitive training indicates that either more sessions are needed for modulation to occur, or far more sensitive outcome measures are required to detect subtle effects.…”