NCT03641092 · Boston Medical Center
CenteringParenting Clinical Intervention on Kindergarten Readiness in Early Childhood
What this study is about
Disparities in health begin in early childhood. Early life experiences influence brain development and have significant implications on future health and developmental outcomes. Low-income children are at greater risk of developmental delays in large part due to a lack of an enriched environment.
View original scientific description
Disparities in health begin in early childhood. Early life experiences influence brain development and have significant implications on future health and developmental outcomes. Low-income children are at greater risk of developmental delays in large part due to a lack of an enriched environment. Disparities in early childhood development increase risk for stunted academic achievement throughout the life course. Primary care is a universal exposure in early childhood and therefore is also a significant entry point for promoting optimal child development. There is a need to provide effective, low-cost, and scalable interventions in primary care to support early childhood development.The CenteringParenting intervention is designed to reduce negative health and developmental outcomes within a model of group routine child health care. To date, there is no evidence of the benefits of the CenteringParenting intervention on school readiness, or improvements in parental behaviors that support optimal developmental milestones and achievement. The intent of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the CenteringParenting intervention on school readiness in early childhood, as measured by language development at 24 months, (in addition to health care utilization, child routine care maintenance, parenting stress, caregiver behaviors and attitudes).
Interventions
BEHAVIORAL
CenteringParenting Intervention
The CenteringParenting(CP) intervention includes group well child care visits during the first 24 months of life. Participants receive a journal with child safety, health and development information. The groups are co-led by a practitioner and support staff member. This bundled intervention supports healthy parent-child interactions and early learning through education and experiential learning within the well-child visit.
BEHAVIORAL
Routine Well Child Care
The Comparison Clinical Sites will receive the Routine Well Child Care standard individual clinical care. This clinic will receive delayed training in the CenteringParenting(CP) intervention approximately 3 months after the completion of recruitment at their study site \[when recruited families will be ineligible for CenteringParenting groups that will start in control sites\]. They will receive anticipatory guidance and handouts that are standard for the clinic.
Primary outcome measures
Early language assessment at 12 months
Time frame: 12 months
Assess early language (vocabulary, comprehension, production, gestures and grammar) based on the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventories (CDI). The Words and Gestures short form (Level I) is comprised of a 89-word vocabulary checklist with separate columns for comprehension and production, appropriate for children 8-18 months. The score is assessed in the amount of correct answers and measured in percentiles, from \<1th to 100th, depending on the child's age. Administered by research assistant to female guardian.
Early language assessment at 24 months
Time frame: 24 months
Assess early language (vocabulary, comprehension, production, gestures and grammar) based on the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventories (CDI). Two equivalent Words \& Sentences versions (Level IIA and Level IIB) contain a 100-word productive vocabulary checklist and a question about combining words, appropriate for children 16-30 months. The score is assessed in the amount of correct answers and measured in percentiles, from \<1th to 100th, depending on the child's age. Administered by research assistant to female guardian.
Receptive vocabulary assessment at 3 months
Time frame: 3 months
Assess Receptive vocabulary based on the Preschool Language Scale-5 (PLS-5) 5th Edition Parent Questionnaire. The scale accesses: Total language, auditory comprehension, expressive communication standard scores, growth scores, percentile ranks, language age equivalents. PLS-5 scores range anywhere from 40-160 with the mean being 100 and an SD of 15. Higher percentile ranks are correlated with higher the levels of receptive vocabulary. Administered by research assistant to female guardian.
Receptive vocabulary assessment at 12 months
Time frame: 12 months
Assess Receptive vocabulary based on the Preschool Language Scale-5 (PLS-5) 5th Edition Parent Questionnaire. The scale accesses: Total language, auditory comprehension, expressive communication standard scores, growth scores, percentile ranks, language age equivalents. PLS-5 scores range anywhere from 40-160 with the mean being 100 and an SD of 15. Higher percentile ranks are correlated with higher the levels of receptive vocabulary. Administered by research assistant to female guardian.
Receptive vocabulary assessment at 24 months
Time frame: 24 months
Assess Receptive vocabulary based on the Preschool Language Scale-5 (PLS-5) 5th Edition Parent Questionnaire. The scale accesses: Total language, auditory comprehension, expressive communication standard scores, growth scores, percentile ranks, language age equivalents. PLS-5 scores range anywhere from 40-160 with the mean being 100 and an SD of 15. Higher percentile ranks are correlated with higher the levels of receptive vocabulary. Administered by research assistant to female guardian.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- For participating practice sites
- Practice provides care to patients who are covered by public insurance and/or uninsured (no minimum threshold: all insurance types eligible)
- Practices have at least 3,000 primary care visits per year For parent-child dyad
- Index child age must be 0-3 months
- Parent must be female
- Parent must be 18 years of age and older
- Parent and child must attend one of the 10 study clinical sites
- Parental consent
- Parent must be fluent in English or Spanish
Exclusion criteria
- For participating practice sites
- Does not accept public insurance For parent-child dyad
- Child born prior to 34 weeks gestation
- Child with chronic conditions known to affect neurodevelopment
- Child with a positive screen on the Children with Special Healthcare Needs screener
Where
- Boston, Massachusetts
Collaborators
Centering Healthcare Institute, Overdeck Family foundation, Valhalla Foundation
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Dec 1, 2025 · Source of record for eligibility and locations