ACORN: Improving oraI health in cleft lip and/or palate
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN45791053 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN45791053 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | 30803 |
- Submission date
- 20/06/2016
- Registration date
- 21/06/2016
- Last edited
- 08/02/2021
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Oral Health
Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
A cleft is a gap or split in the upper lip, the roof of the mouth (palate) or both. Cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) is a common facial abnormality which begins during development in the womb. Children born with CL/P can find it difficult to look after their teeth. This can affect the success of their treatment, including bone grafts and braces. It can be hard to keep to a daily routine of mouth care, such as regular tooth brushing and avoiding sugary drinks. This study will test a new way to help children carry out good mouth care. It is based on ‘if-then’ plans (the technical term is ‘implementation intentions’, which recognise that people want to act in a healthy way but don’t always manage to do so). Even simple ‘if-then’ plans have helped adults and children to keep to habits that many people find it hard to maintain, such as exercising and eating a healthy diet. The aim of this study is to find out whether this will help children with a cleft lip and/or palate with their mouth care, so this should help us find out.
Who can participate?
Children aged 5-9 years with CL/P and their parents.
What does the study involve?
At the initial study visit, the dental care practitioner (DCP) asks about the child’s usual routine for looking after their teeth and record some general background information. They then carry out two assessments of the child’s teeth. One involves looking at the child’s teeth and gums and the other involves measuring any plaque on the child’s teeth. The child then rinses their mouth using a disclosing tablet/solution and the dental care practitioner takes a photo of the inside of their mouth. They are then randomly assigned to one of three groups and parents are given advice about helping their child look after their teeth. Those in the first group receive leaflet about how to best look after teeth in children with CL/P. Those in the second group also receive the leaflet but also invited to make an ‘if-then’ plan. This involves being shown a two minute audio-visual animation to introduce implementation intention plans and a format for an individual if-then plan. They are also given a laminated sheet to write their ‘if-then’ plan on. The DCP will take a photo and a written record of the ‘if-then’ plan. Those in the third group also receive a leaflet and create an if-plan, as well as receiving a letter, text and email reminder of their i-plan. This includes a link to the animation, the photo/wording of their ‘if-then’ plan and a new laminated sheet and pen. Participants in both groups complete a number of questionnaires at the start of the study and six months later, when they receive a home visit from the DCP in order to ind out whether the children are caring for their teeth better.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
This study may not directly benefit participants however it will help to improve understanding about how best to help children born with CL/P to care for their teeth. There are no notable risks involved with participating in this study,
Where is the study run from?
The study is run from the Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and takes place in participant’s homes (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2014 to December 2017
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Mrs Cath Wright
cath.wright@manchester.ac.uk
Contact information
Public
The University of Manchester
Cleft and Craniofacial Research Centre
School of Dentistry
JR Moore Building
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-9082-8084 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 161 275 6224 |
| cath.wright@manchester.ac.uk |
Study information
| Study design | Randomised; Interventional; Design type: Prevention, Psychological & Behavioural |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study setting(s) | Home |
| Study type | Treatment |
| Participant information sheet | Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet |
| Scientific title | ACORN: Improving orAI Health in Cleft Lip and/or Palate: A Promotion Intervention for Children and Parents: Stage 2 (A Feasibility Study) |
| Study acronym | ACORN |
| Study hypothesis | The aim of this study is to investigating the feasibility of conducting a large-scale trial looking at whether implementation intentions can help children with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) improve their oral health. |
| Ethics approval(s) | West Midlands – Solihull research Ethics Committee, 20/09/2015, ref: 15/WM/0352 |
| Condition | Specialty: Children, Primary sub-specialty: Cleft and craniofacial anomalies; UKCRC code/ Disease: Oral & Gastro/ Diseases of oral cavity, salivary glands and jaws |
| Intervention | All participants have a baseline visit where consent is taken and parents and children complete questionnaires about oral health, and information about whether currently using any plans to help with oral health. Dental Care Practitioners (DCPs) then carry out assessments of level of gingivitis (gum inflammation) and presence of plaque. Participants are then randomised to one of three groups: Group 1 (control) receive a leaflet about standard oral health information for children with a cleft lip and palate at visit 1 Group 2 (intervention) as group 1 but are also invited to make an ‘if-then’ plan. This involves being shown a two minute audio-visual animation to introduce implementation intention plans and a format for an individualised if-then plan. They are also given a laminated sheet to write their ‘if-then’ plan on. The DCP will take a photo and a written record of the ‘if-then’ plan. Group 3 (intervention and booster) As group 2 but after 3 months this group will be contacted by the DCP to remind them of the ‘if-then’ plan. This booster/reminder will be by letter, text and email (providing they have agreed to that at the initial visit. The booster/reminder will contain a link to the animation, the photo/wording of their ‘if-then’ plan and a new laminated sheet and pen. Six months after the initial visit all participants will be visited again at home by the DCP. All the questionnaires and assessments of gingivitis and plaque will be repeated. All participants will also complete a semi-structured interview, which will be audio recorded about their experience of being in the study. DCPs will also report their experience of carrying out the questionnaires and assessments at home. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure | Acceptability of measures to parents and children is measured by parent and child self-report questionnaires at baseline and 6 month follow up visit and the exit interview with parents at the 6 month follow up visit. |
| Secondary outcome measures | 1. Child’s dental plaque is measured using the plaque scores on The Modified Gingival Index (MGI) and Plaque Control Record (PCR) at baseline and 6 months 2. Oral hygiene management is measured by a parents’ questionnaire on oral health, a self-report based on Children’s Dental Health Survey and children’s self-report using Day in the Life Questionnaire at baseline and 6 months |
| Overall study start date | 16/03/2014 |
| Overall study end date | 01/03/2018 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Sex | Both |
| Target number of participants | Planned Sample Size: 60; UK Sample Size: 60 |
| Participant inclusion criteria | 1. Aged 5-9 years 2. Children with a cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) 3. One or more parent/carer able to speak and read English |
| Participant exclusion criteria | 1. Participation in a Stage 1 interview 2. Children allergic to food dyes 3. Participants unable to converse in English 4. Families undergoing significant psychosocial difficulties (e.g. child protection, recent bereavement of a close family member), as identified by their cleft team |
| Recruitment start date | 07/06/2015 |
| Recruitment end date | 30/06/2017 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- England
- United Kingdom
Study participating centre
Manchester Royal Infirmary
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9WL
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
Hospital/treatment centre
Trust Headquarters
Cobbett House
Manchester Royal Infirmary
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9WL
England
United Kingdom
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/00he80998 |
|---|
Funders
Funder type
Government
Government organisation / National government
- Alternative name(s)
- National Institute for Health Research, NIHR Research, NIHRresearch, NIHR - National Institute for Health Research, NIHR (The National Institute for Health and Care Research), NIHR
- Location
- United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | 28/02/2018 |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| Publication and dissemination plan | Planned publication of study results in a peer reviewed journal. |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 17/07/2017 | Yes | No | |
| Results article | results | 01/02/2020 | 08/02/2021 | Yes | No |
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No |
Editorial Notes
08/02/2021: Publication reference added.
25/09/2018: Publication reference added and the overall trial end date was updated from 31/12/2017 to 01/03/2018.
