Intensive Parent–Child Interaction Therapy for Children with Traumatic Brain Injury: Feasibility Study

Abstract

Objective This study examined the feasibility and initial outcome of a time-limited and intensive format of Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) for families of young children who have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods The nonrandomized open trial included 15 families with a child aged 2–5 years who had sustained a TBI and displayed clinically elevated levels of externalizing behavior problems. Families received clinic-based PCIT twice per week over an average of 6 weeks, with the exception of two families that received the same intensity and format of PCIT in the home. Results Ten of the 14 families who completed the baseline assessment (71%) completed the intervention and post and follow-up assessments. On average, caregivers completed homework practice on 52% of the days in between sessions. Caregivers reported high acceptability and satisfaction following the intervention, as well as decreases in child externalizing and internalizing behavior problems at the post-assessment and 2-month follow-up. Conclusions Results of this open trial provide preliminary support for the feasibility of a time-limited and intensive format of PCIT for families of young children who have sustained a TBI and have elevated levels of behavior problems. This study highlights a promising intervention approach for improving domains commonly affected by early childhood TBI and preventing the development of more severe and persistent problems.