Telehealth Parent–Child Interaction Therapy to strengthen relationships in at‑risk families

Fostering Healthy Relationships Through Tele-PCIT for Families of South Carolina

This project will try Parent–Child Interaction Therapy delivered by video visits to help children ages 2–6 with behavior problems who are at risk from adverse childhood experiences.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Ages: 2 Years to 7 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Charleston, South Carolina)
• Trial ID: NCT07225010 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled trial enrolls 40 children ages 2–6 with elevated disruptive behavior and at least one adverse childhood experience score. Families are randomized to immediate Tele‑PCIT (n=20) or a waitlist/delayed Tele‑PCIT group (n=20) and complete baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up assessments. Outcomes include child behavioral symptoms, parenting practices and engagement, acceptability, and trauma-related symptoms. Therapy sessions are delivered remotely while targeting Medicaid‑eligible or uninsured families.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 2:0–6:11 with elevated disruptive behavior, receptive language at approximately a two‑year level or higher, a score of one or more on an ACEs measure, and a primary caregiver who lives with the child, can consent, and is Medicaid‑eligible or uninsured.

Not a fit: Children without elevated disruptive behavior, with insufficient receptive language for PCIT, older than the age range, or whose caregiver cannot participate or live with them are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, tele‑PCIT could improve child behavior and parent–child interactions and expand access to evidence‑based care for low‑income, at‑risk families.

How similar studies have performed: In‑person PCIT has strong evidence for reducing disruptive behaviors in young children, and early telehealth adaptations show promising feasibility and positive outcomes though evidence specifically in ACE‑exposed samples is still limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Child participants must:

  * Be between 2:0-6:11 years old
  * Have elevated levels of disruptive behavior problems as defined by the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI)
  * Have receptive language appropriate for PCIT (approximately 2-years old)
  * Medicaid eligible, or be uninsured
  * Score of 1 or greater on an ACEs (adverse childhood experiences) measure (PEARLS)
* Parent participants must:

  * Be the child's legal guardian
  * Be able to provide consent for themselves (i.e., have decision making capacity and do not need a legally authorized representative themselves).
  * Must be living with the child

Exclusion Criteria:

* None

Where this trial is running

Charleston, South Carolina

• Rutledge Tower — Charleston, South Carolina, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Rosmary Ros-Demarize, Ph.D. — Medical University of South Carolina

Conditions Disruptive Behavior; Pediatrics