'Pre-schoolers in the Playground' (PiP) - physical activity for children aged 18 months to 4 years old

ISRCTN ISRCTN54165860
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN54165860
Secondary identifying numbers N/A
Submission date
04/09/2012
Registration date
05/10/2012
Last edited
30/01/2020
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English Summary

Background and study aims
The pre-school years is a critical period for establishing healthy lifestyle behaviours such as physical activity (PA). There are many benefits of taking part in regular PA for pre-school children, e.g. maintaining a healthy weight. Tackling childhood obesity is a national public health priority. Although the rate of rise in childhood obesity is slowing, levels in England remain high in urban areas, in those from deprived backgrounds and in ethnic minority groups such as South Asians. Regular PA also has many other important health and social benefits for pre-school children; it is valuable for developing motor skills, enhancing bone and muscle development and for learning social skills. Despite the well-known health benefits of PA there are high levels of physical inactivity across the UK in all age groups, including the pre-school years. Only a few PA programmes for pre-school children have been tested to see how effective they are and the results of these studies are mixed. In a report published in July 2011 the UKs Chief Medical Officer highlighted that we need new programmes that promote movement in the early years (0-5 years old) in the UK. The 'pre-schoolers in the playground' (PiP) programme aims to increase PA levels in children aged 18 months - 4 years old. PiP will open up school playgrounds for pre-school siblings to use with their parent/carer. The 'school run' occurs on every week day for 39 weeks a year, regardless of weather. Capitalising on this daily routine to provide a safe, organised, supervised area for pre-school children to enjoy active play outdoors may increase PA and over time, reduce adiposity. Additionally, involving parents in their community settings has the potential to bond them together and improve their well-being.

Who can participate?
Children aged 18 months to 4 years of age

What does the study involve?
Eight schools will be selected from locations across deprived areas of Bradford. Four of the schools will have mostly South Asian pupils and the 4 schools will have mostly Caucasian (white) pupils. Families will be invited to take part in the study, before the schools are randomly allocated to one of the two groups. Four schools will be allocated to the PiP programme and 4 to a group where the usual practice (the control). All participants taking part in the study will have to complete a questionnaire at the start of the study and at 10 weeks, 30 weeks and 52 weeks during the study

Where is the study run from?
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - Born in Bradford Project

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There may be no benefit to taking part in the trial; however, parents will be given a £10 voucher towards play equipment following each completed measurement session. The disadvantages to taking part in the trial may include injuries to the child whilst engaging in play and for the adults participating, the time taken to complete the data collection.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The PiP trial is expected to be completed two years from the start of the first wave in September 2012. The second wave of recruitment will take place in January 2013 and the third and final wave in April 2013.

Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) - Public Health Research Programme (UK).

Who is the main contact?
Dr Sally Barber
Sally.Barber@bthft.nhs.uk

Contact information

Prof John Wright
Scientific

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Bradford Institute for Health Research
Temple Bank House
Bradford Royal Infirmary
Duckworth Lane
Bradford
BD9 6RJ
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)1274 364 279
Email john.wright@bthft.nhs.uk

Study information

Study designTwo-armed pilot cluster randomised controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designCluster randomised trial
Study setting(s)School
Study typeQuality of life
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific title'Pre-schoolers in the Playground' (PiP) - a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial of a physical activity intervention for children aged 18 months to 4 years old
Study acronymPiP
Study hypothesisPreschoolers in the Playground (PiP) aims to assess the feasiblity of opening primary school playgrounds to preschool children aged 18 months to 4 years of age, in order to increase phyiscal activity levels over a sustrained period of time leading to a healthier lifestyle and reduced risk of childhood obesity.
Ethics approval(s)NRES Committee Yorkshire and The Humber, 30/07/2012 ref: 12/YH/0334
ConditionChildhood obesity
InterventionThe intervention will include the introduction of organised and supported phyiscal activity sessions in playgrounds, followed by access to the playgrounds and play equipment unsupported up to 52 weeks from the start.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measure1. Increased levels of physical activity in preschoolers
2. Improved wellbeing and self efficacy for adults attending the intervention with the preschoolers
Secondary outcome measures1.Child health related quality of life (PedsQL) as well as anthropmetric measurements from the children
2. Parent health-related quality of life (EQ5D)
3. Self-efficacy (GSES)
4. Wellbeing (ComQol-A5)
Overall study start date07/09/2012
Overall study end date30/09/2014

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupChild
Lower age limit18 Months
Upper age limit4 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants120
Total final enrolment164
Participant inclusion criteriaChildren aged 18 months to 4 years of age not in school
Participant exclusion criteria1. Children aged less than 18 months of age and those children aged 4 years and over
2. Enrolled into school
Recruitment start date07/09/2012
Recruitment end date30/09/2014

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Bradford
BD9 6RJ
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UK)
Hospital/treatment centre

Bradford Institute for Health Research
Temple Bank House
Research and Governance Support Office 2
Bradford Royal Infirmary
Duckworth Lane
Bradford
BD9 6RJ
England
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)1274 362 575
Email Jane.Dennison@bthft.nhs.uk
Website http://www.bradfordresearch.nhs.uk
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/05gekvn04

Funders

Funder type

Government

NIHR - Public Health Research Programme (UK)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Protocol article protocol 09/10/2013 Yes No
Results article results 01/05/2015 Yes No
Results article results 01/12/2016 Yes No
Results article results 28/01/2020 30/01/2020 Yes No

Editorial Notes

30/01/2020: The following changes have been made:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The total final enrolment number has been added from the 2015 reference.
22/02/2016: Publication reference added.