A feasibility randomised controlled trial of the New Orleans intervention for infant mental health: a study protocol

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Social Work

Background:

• Child maltreatment leads to lifelong health and social issues.
• Early intervention and stable placements are crucial for affected children.
• A Glasgow audit revealed frequent "revolving door" placements for maltreated children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the protocol for the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a mental health intervention for maltreated children.
• To assess the intervention's impact on improving decisions for permanent child placement.
• To evaluate neurodevelopmental outcomes and explore data linkage for future research.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory randomized controlled trial comparing a novel infant mental health intervention with enhanced usual care.
• Outcome assessment across multiple neurodevelopmental domains (ESSENCE).
• Examination of feasibility, reliability, and developmental appropriateness of outcome measures.

Main Results:

• The trial is conducted from a position of equipoise, comparing two new services.
• Feasibility, reliability, and developmental appropriateness of outcome measures are being examined.
• Potential for linkage with routinely collected health, social care, and future educational data is explored.

Conclusions:

• The findings will inform a definitive RCT, potentially benefiting children in Scotland and globally.
• This research addresses the critical need for timely permanent placement decisions for maltreated children.
• The study pioneers an RCT for a mental health intervention focused on placement permanency.