Dinosaur Child Program for 4- to 8-year-olds with conduct problems
Official title: The Dino Study: Rationale and Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Incredible Years Dinosaur Program With Daily Assessments
Run by Tilburg University · NCT07051642 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests whether the Incredible Years Dinosaur Child Program helps 4- to 8-year-olds with conduct problems improve behavior, emotions, and social skills, compared with a waitlist control.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 4 Years to 8 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Tilburg University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Tilburg) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 15, 2025 |
| Main results expected | May 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | October 6, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07051642 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Children aged 4 to 8 with elevated or subclinical conduct problems and at least one participating parent who can complete daily diaries in Dutch.
✕Probably not a fit
Children without conduct problems, those with severe intellectual disability, or families unable to participate in regular sessions and diary reporting may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This two-arm randomized controlled trial evaluates the Incredible Years Dinosaur Child Program in 120 children aged 4 to 8 with elevated conduct problems in the Netherlands. Families are randomly assigned to either participate in 18 weekly 2-hour group sessions with certified leaders or receive care-as-usual on the waitlist. The study uses standard pre- and post-intervention assessments plus intensive daily diaries to examine both group outcomes and individual changes in emotional regulation, behavior problems, and parent-child interactions. Primary outcomes focus on reductions in externalizing behavior and improvements in social and cognitive functioning, while diary data capture day-to-day emotional variability and parent-child dynamics. The trial aims to determine whether the program yields meaningful benefits for children and families in real-world settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, children may show fewer behavior problems and better emotional and social functioning, with more positive parent-child interactions.
How similar studies have gone: Past studies of the Incredible Years Dinosaur program have shown promise for reducing conduct problems in young children, but this exact intensive diary design in the Dutch setting is novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children aged 4 to 8 years * At least one parent or primary caregiver willing and able to participate in the study and complete daily diary assessments * Sufficient Dutch language proficiency in child and parent to complete questionnaires and daily diary reports * Parental indication that the child shows elevated or (sub)clinical levels of conduct problems in daily life (e.g., frequent defiance, aggression, or rule- breaking behavior Exclusion Criteria: * Intellectual disability in the child (IQ \< 70) * Child lives primarily in a different household during weekdays (e.g., institutional care, full-time co-parenting arrangement) * Parent/child does not have sufficient Dutch language proficiency
Where it's running
-
Tilburg Univeristy
Tilburg, Netherlands Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Rabia Chhangur, PhD
- Email: R.R.Chhangur@tilburguniversity.edu
- Phone: +31 13 466 3118
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.