Rx for Success: RCT of an App for Dialogic Reading Training

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Literacy, Child Development, Parenting

In brief

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to explore the efficacy of amplifying dialogic reading training provided to families of infants and toddlers in the ROR program using a novel, smartphone-based application (Rx for Success; RS). The RS app includes videos modeling dialogic reading for a variety of child ages, interactive games, and text messaging reminders to empower parents and other caregivers to increase constructive cognitive and social-emotional stimulation in the home through book sharing. This study addresses an evidence gap regarding the efficacy of dialogic reading training to improve cognitive and social-emotional health using a mobile, technology-based approach. It leverages existing ROR infrastructure and will provide valuable pilot data to improve and scale this inexpensive clinical resource and guide future longitudinal studies, to better serve low-SES, at-risk families. Aims and hypotheses are as follows: Specific Aim 1 (Rx for Success; RS): To explore the efficacy of incorporating dialogic reading training via the RS application into ROR during well-child visits for infants (6-12 months old) and toddlers (18-24 months old), compared to standard ROR practice. Hypothesis 1a (language): Language scores (LENA Snapshot) will be higher in children whose caregivers are provided with the RS app. Hypothesis 1b (social-emotional): Social-emotional development scores (DECA-I/T items) will be higher in children whose caregivers are provided with the RS app. Hypothesis 1c (dialogic quality): Dialogic reading quality scores (DialogPR) will be higher in caregivers presented with the RS app. Hypothesis 1d (attitudes): Attitudes towards shared reading at home (StimQ-I/T items) will be higher in families provided with the RS app. Specific Aim 2 (exploratory): To explore the effect of providing a smartphone-based app versus a specially designed children's book on screen-based media use. Hypothesis 2a: Reported screen-based media use (ScreenQ) will be lower in families provided with the RS app, reflecting greater emphasis on interactive shared reading. Hypothesis 2b: Language (LENA Snapshot) and social-emotional (DECA-I/T items) scores will be higher for children with less reported screen-based media use (ScreenQ).

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03828721

Run by

Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati

People needed

252

Starts

2018-03-20

Expected to finish

2019-07-01

Last updated by the study team

2020-06-16

Who can join

Age: 1 and older, up to 2. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Gestation of at least 34 weeks,
• Age at initial screening 6 months (5.75 months-7.5 months) or 18 months old (17-21 months).
• No documented history of major neurological insult such as intracranial hemorrhage or V-P shunt.
• Comfortable speaking English during their WCC and reviewing/comprehending study materials without a translator, including informed consent.
• Functional literacy in at least one primary caregiver, defined as the ability to navigate the RS application, read prompts provided by the RS application (targeted 6th grade reading level as estimated via the Readable.io website), and understand/provide informed consent, administered in English.
• Possession of a smartphone or tablet device capable of downloading, installing and utilizing the RS application.

You may not qualify if…

• Not meeting inclusion criteria above
• Twins

Where it is running

• Community Health Center@ Connecticut Children's Medical Center — Hartford, Connecticut, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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