Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
This study aims to test how well Teacher Consultation (TC), one of six modules in the program Early Intervention for Children at Risk (TIBIR in Norwegian), works. TIBIR is a program developed by the Norwegian Center for Child Behavioural Development to prevent and treat behavioral problems and strengthen social competence in children. TC consists of six to eight consultations, and focuses on designing and performing classroom and individual techniques for stopping or reducing conduct problems and at promoting behaviour that benefits others.
The aims of the present study are:
To compare the effects of TC to regular services given to prevent and treat children identified as having behavioral problems at school or kindergarten.
To determine whether some children benefit more from TC than others?
How can TC be improved?
Who can participate?
In total, 200 children, from various sites/areas in Norway, between the age of 3 to 12 years, having behavioral problems at school or kindergarten, can participate in this study. The consultation will be offered to the classroom and preschool teachers working with these children.
What does the study involve?
In this study, participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups, TC or regular services. They will receive the respective service. Questionnaires are filled by the childrens parents, classroom or preschool teachers and the consultants. Parents and teachers are asked to report on the childs behavior before, after, and 6 months after the consultation. Consultants and teachers are asked to fill the forms during the consultation.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
All participants will receive well-known consultations carried out in the centres where the study will be conducted. There are no known risks in participating in this study.
Where is the study run from?
The Norwegian Center for Child Behavioral Development, University of Oslo, Norway.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study starts in March 2013, and is expected to run till March 2017.
Who is funding the study?
The Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs (Norway); Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion (Norway); the Norwegian Directorate of Health (Norway); the Norwegian Directorate for Primary and Secondary Education (Norway).
Who is the main contact?
John Kjøbli
john.kjobli@atferdssenteret.no
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Dr Terje Ogden
ORCID ID
Contact details
Postboks 7053 Majorstuen
Oslo
0306
Norway
23 20 58 42
terje.ogden@atferdssenteret.no
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
N/A
Study information
Scientific title
Early Initiatives for Children at Risk (TIBIR) an evaluation of the intervention modules: Teacher Consultation. A randomised controlled trial
Acronym
TIBIR
Study hypothesis
The aim of the present study is to compare the effects of Teacher Consultation (TC) to regular services given to prevent and treat children identified as having behavior problems at school or kindergarten.
Ethics approval
Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics, South- East, 7th March 2013, ref: 2012/468
Study design
Randomised controlled trial (RCT)
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Other
Trial type
Prevention
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Condition
Prevention and reduction of behavioral problems
Intervention
The intervention studied in this trial is part of an early intervention program for use in municipalities, based on the principles of PMTO.
The program consists of six modules: a multiple gate assessment tool for early identification and five interventions. Three modules, PMTO, PMTO Parent Group (PMTO PG), and Brief Parent Training (BPT), target parents; one module, TC, focuses on other significant adults in important arenas, such as schools and kindergartens; and one module, Child Social Skill Training (CSST), is designed to improve the child`s social skills. The modules of TIBIR are intended to both supplement and compensate for one another.
In this RCT, the intervention studied is the TC. Children identified as having behavioral problems at school or kindergarten will be offered a TC intervention. This intervention consists of six to eight consultations offered to classroom or preschool teachers that focus on the design and implementation of classroom and individual strategies and techniques aimed at stopping or reducing conduct problems and at promoting prosocial behavior.
A training period of 4- days is required to become a Teacher Consultant. The training presupposes that they are Brief Parent Trainers or PMTO therapists. The training in TC adressess behavior problems in school and kindergarten, the role of consultants, the assessment of behavior problems in school and preschool settings, compliance, skill encouragement, various skills and techniques that promote prosocial behavior, and the management of behavior problems.
The TC intervention will be compared to regular services (with pre-, post- and follow-up assessment). Examples of regular services are: teacher/assistant guidance, full- or part-time assistant, and evidence based programs like The Incredible Years. The services given will vary from one municipality to another.
Intervention type
Other
Phase
Not Applicable
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
The assessment in both the intervention and comparison group will be conducted before treatment and approximately 12 weeks after the initiation of the intervention, and again 6 months following the second assessment.
Outcome name: Behavior Problems
Metric/method of measurement:
Parent Questionnaires:
1. Eyberg Behavior Child Inventory (ECBI)
2. Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) for Externalizing Problems
3. Home and Community Social Behavior Scale (HCSBS) Social competence scale (32 items)
Teacher Questionnaires:
1. Class environment and Problem behavior in the Classroom
2. Teacher Report Form (TRF) for Externalizing Problems
3. School Social Behavior Scales (32 items SSBS)
Secondary outcome measures
Parent Questionnaires:
1. Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) for Internalizing Problems
2. Parenting Practices Interview- Positive Parenting (15 items) and Harsh discipline (14 items)
3. Stressfull Life Events (12 items)
Teacher Questionnaires:
1. Teacher Report Form (TRF) for Internalizing Problems
2. Teacher- Consultant Alliance Form (Measure of alliance between classroom or preeschool teachers and consultant)
3. Teacher Consulation Adherence Form
4. Mapping of Regular Services (Kartlegging av kontrolltiltak)
Consultant Questionnaires:
1. Consultant Teacher Alliance Form (Measure of alliance between classroom or preeschool teachers and consultant)
2. Teacher Consulation Adherence Form
Overall trial start date
15/03/2013
Overall trial end date
15/03/2017
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Child exhibiting conduct problems in school or kindergarten
2. Child is 3 - 12 years old, either sex
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Child
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
200
Participant exclusion criteria
Children who:
1. were diagnosed with autism
2. has been exposed to documented sexual assaults
3. are mentally retarded
4. has parents with serious mental health problems or severely retarded
Recruitment start date
15/03/2013
Recruitment end date
15/03/2017
Locations
Countries of recruitment
Norway
Trial participating centre
Postboks 7053 Majorstuen
Oslo
0306
Norway
Sponsor information
Organisation
The Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion (BLD) (Norway)
Sponsor details
Postboks 8036 Dep
Oslo
0030
Norway
Postmottak@bld.dep.no
Sponsor type
Government
Website
Funders
Funder type
Research organisation
Funder name
The Norwegian Center for Child Behavior Development (Norway)
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Not provided at time of registration
Intention to publish date
Participant level data
Not provided at time of registration
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list