Feasibility of Intensive Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (I-PCIT): Results from an Open Trial

Abstract

Objective The current pilot study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and initial outcome of an intensive and more condensed version of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (90 minute sessions for 5 days/week over the course of 2 weeks). Method Using an open trial design, 11 children (M child age = 5.01 years) and their mothers completed a baseline period of 2 weeks, a treatment period of 2 weeks, and a post-treatment evaluation. A follow-up evaluation was also conducted 4 months following treatment completion. Across all assessments, mothers completed measures of child behavior and parenting stress, and observational data was collected during three 5-minute standard situations that vary in the degree of parental control (child-led play, parent-led play, & clean-up). Results All 11 families completed the intervention with extremely high attendance and reported high satisfaction. Results across both mother report and observations showed that: a) externalizing behavior problems were stable during the baseline period; b) treatment was effective in reducing externalizing behavior problems (ds = 1.67-2.50), improving parenting skills (ds = 1.93-6.04), and decreasing parenting stress (d = .91); and c) treatment gains were maintained at follow-up (ds = .53-3.50). Conclusions Overall, preliminary data suggest that a brief and intensive format of a parent-training intervention is a feasible and effective treatment for young children with externalizing behavior problems with clinical implications for improving children's behavioral impairment in a very brief period of time.

Training behavioral technicians to implement naturalistic behavioral interventions using behavioral skills training

“…In addition, participants demonstrated generalization of the skills acquired when interacting with a novel client. In total, training took an average of 1 hr, in comparison to the 15‐hr brief version of parent‐child interaction therapy previously described in the literature (Graziano et al, ). This current model using BST to train therapists to conduct NBI, using a protocol based on parent‐child interaction therapy, is efficient and can easily be incorporated in training incoming and current staff at early intervention clinics working with children diagnosed with ASD.…”

Feasibility and Effectiveness of Parent–Child Interaction Therapy with Victims of Domestic Violence: A Pilot Study

“…For instance, Graziano et al(2015) recently completed a pilot study examining an intensive, condensed version of PCIT (90-minute sessions daily for two weeks) with children exhibiting externalizing behavior problems. Initial results indicated high completion rates/attendance, as well as reduction in parent stress and child externalizing behavior problems.…”

“…To fit different treatment modalities, PCIT has been successfully abbreviated (Graziano, et al, 2015) as well as adapted to be used as a group (Niec, Hemme, Yopp, & Brestan, 2005) and in-home (Ware, McNeil, Masse, & Stevens, 2008) intervention. There is a particularly strong evidence for PCIT’s application with child physical abuse (Chaffin et al, 2004; Lanier, Kohl, Benz, Swinger, & Drake, 2014; Thomas & Zimmer-Gembeck, 2012) and it is recognized as an evidence-based program for this population (e.g., Kauffman Report ).…”

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy with and without Incentives in a Community Mental Health Setting

“…In this version of PCIT, CDI and PDI mastery were not required for the completion of treatment. Results indicated high levels of attendance, satisfaction, positive change in child externalizing behaviors, improvements in parenting skills, and reductions in parental stress (Graziano et al, 2015). In fact, effect sizes in the intensive PCIT were larger than those reported by standard PCIT for child compliance, parent-report of child externalizing behaviors, maintenance of family gains, and parental skill acquisition.…”