This pilot randomized controlled trial of the Vermont Family Based Approach (VFBA) tested the feasibility of the VFBA in primary care pediatrics and its effects on children's and parents' emotional and behavioral problems and health-related quality of life. The VFBA is a public health framework for evidence-based health promotion, prevention, and treatment that is delivered from the family perspective and emphasizes emotional and behavioral health. The VFBA group received the VFBA intervention, while the Control group received pediatric primary care as usual.
To enhance the health of our communities, we need approaches to healthcare delivery that focus on the entire family, recognize the central role of emotional and behavioral health in relation to all health, use evidence-based health promotion in addition to evidence based treatment of existing problems, and intervene early in children's life. The VFBA is a public health framework for evidence-based health promotion, prevention, and treatment that is delivered from the family perspective and emphasizes emotional and behavioral health. The study was a pilot RCT of the VFBA in a primary care pediatrics clinic. The goals of the study were to test whether the VFBA would (1) be feasible in primary care pediatrics and (2) would lead to improved emotional and behavioral health and health-related quality of life or children and parents. Families were recruited at the pediatric clinic and randomized to the VFBA or Control conditions. The VFBA group received family-based assessment of emotional and behavioral health and family functioning, family wellness coaching, and a menu of cost-free wellness activities, such as parent and child violin instruction, yoga and mindfulness training, and nutrition counseling. Where indicated by results of family-based assessment, families in the VFBA group also received family-based, evidence-based psychotherapy and psychiatric care. Families in the Control group received pediatric primary care, as usual.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Comprehensive and individualized program to promote emotional health and wellbeing in families using evidence-based health promotion, prevention and intervention.
Pediatric care as usual.
Vermont Center for Children, Youth & Families
Burlington, Vermont, United States
Feasibility Index 1
descriptive statistics for the number of family visits with FWCs
Time frame: during study enrollment
Feasibility Index 2
descriptive statistics for the number of family visits with FFCs
Time frame: during study enrollment
Feasibility Index 3
number of health and wellness supports and services the family engaged with
Time frame: during study enrollment
Children's Emotional and Behavioral Problems
The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) Total Problems Score (Range: 0-224; higher scores indicate more emotional and behavioral problems)
Time frame: Baseline, 12 month assessment (final assessment)
Children's Health Related Quality of Life
The Child Health Questionnaire for Parents - Short Form (CHQ-SF) General Health Perceptions (Range: 0-100; higher scores indicate greater health-related quality of life)
Time frame: Baseline, 12 month assessment (final assessment)
Parents' Emotional and Behavioral Problems
The Adult Self-Report (ASR) Total Problems Score (Range: 0-224; higher scores indicate higher levels of emotional and behavioral problems)
Time frame: Baseline, 12 month assessment (final assessment)
Health Related Quality of Life of Caregivers
The MOS 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (MOS-36) General Health Scale (Range: 0-100; higher scores indicate higher health-related quality of life)
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Enrollment
90
Time frame: Baseline, 12 month assessment (final assessment)