Improving executive function in young children through parenting support

Improving Brain-Behavior Markers of Preschool Executive Function Through a Group-Based Parenting Intervention for Low-Income Families

This study is testing if a parenting program can help improve thinking skills in young children with behavior problems to see if it also reduces their disruptive behaviors.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 180 (estimated)
• Ages: 4 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Illinois at Chicago (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Chicago, Illinois)
• Trial ID: NCT06241300 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates whether participation in the Chicago Parent Program can enhance executive functioning (EF) in low-income children aged 4 to 5 years with disruptive behavior disorders. The study aims to assess both neural and behavioral indicators of EF and determine if improvements in these areas can lead to reduced disruptive behaviors. By focusing on parenting practices, the trial seeks to identify which specific skills are most effective in modifying EF. The research is designed to provide insights into cost-effective interventions for families living in poverty.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are children aged 4 to 5 years who are Medicaid eligible and exhibit moderate-to-severe impairments in executive functioning.

Not a fit: Patients who may not benefit from this study include those outside the specified age range or those who do not have impairments in executive functioning.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could lead to significant improvements in executive functioning and a reduction in disruptive behaviors among at-risk children.

How similar studies have performed: While similar parenting interventions have shown promise in improving child behavior, this specific approach targeting executive function through parenting support is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Children must be between the ages of 4 years old and 5 years, 11 months old
* Parent must be the legal guardian of the target child and must live with the child full-time
* Parents will be 18 years and older (no maximum age limit)
* Only one child and one parent per family can participate in the study
* Child is Medicaid eligible, defined as receiving Medicaid or eligible based on family income (up to 142 percent of the federal poverty level)
* At enrollment the child will have moderate-to-severe (i.e., (sub)clinical) impairments in executive functioning as indicated by having a global executive composite standardized score greater than or equal to 60 on the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool Version (BRIEF-P), which will be completed by parents at the initial screen
* Given that some assessment materials are only validated in English, parents and children for this study will need to be English-speaking
* Child does not have a prior or current diagnosis of a disruptive behavior disorder based on Diagnostic Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria
* Child is not currently receiving mental health services
* Child does not take medications to treat emotional or behavioral problems
* Child does not have a medical condition, such as epilepsy, that would interfere with the completion of study tasks
* Child is not actively suicidal
* Child does not have a history of psychosis or currently psychotic
* Parent does not have a medical condition that would interfere with the completion of the study
* Parent does not have an intellectual disability that would interfere with their ability to complete the study
* Parent does not have a severe mental illness, active suicidal ideation, or current alcohol/substance abuse/dependence that would interfere with their ability to participate in the study
* Child can have a current or past histories of psychiatric disorders (anxiety, mood, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
* Parent can have current or past history of psychiatric disorders
* Parent can be taking medications to treat mental health problems

Exclusion Criteria:

* Child is not between the ages of 4-5 years old
* The parent is not the legal guardian of the target child
* The parent does not live with the child full-time
* The parent is younger than 18 years old
* Child is not receiving Medicaid or Medicaid eligible
* Child does not have (sub)clinical impairments in executive functioning as indicated by having a global executive composite standardized score greater than or equal to 60 on the BRIEF
* Child and parent are not English-Speaking
* Child has a prior or current diagnosis of a disruptive behavior disorder based on DSM-5 criteria
* Child is currently receiving mental health services
* Child currently takes medications to treat emotional or behavioral problems
* Child has a medical condition, such as epilepsy, that would interfere with the completion of study tasks
* Child is actively suicidal
* Child has a history of psychosis or is currently psychotic
* Parent is not willing to be randomly assigned to receive the Chicago Parent Program intervention or to the control condition where they will not receive an intervention
* Parent has a medical condition that would interfere with the completion of the study
* Parent has an intellectual disability that would interfere with their ability to complete the study
* Parent has a severe mental illness and/or active suicidal ideation

Where this trial is running

Chicago, Illinois

• University of Illinois-Chicago — Chicago, Illinois, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Jennifer Suor, PhD

Conditions: Disruptive Behavior Disorder, Childhood Onset, Disruptive Behavior, Executive Function