Randomised Controlled Trial of an Intervention (SPOCCL) to Enhance Parent-Infant Interactions and Improve Cognitive Outcomes of Children with Cleft lip
In brief
Video feedback did not outperform support visits for parents of infants with cleft
In a 66-family trial, video feedback and support, information, and advice produced similar parent-infant interaction scores and infant cognitive outcomes. Outcomes in both groups approached those seen in unaffected populations, but without a no-treatment group, the study cannot show that either intervention caused the improvement.
- Journal
- The Cleft palate-craniofacial journal : official publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (Q1)
- Published
- 30 September 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Louise Dalton, Elizabeth Rapa, Leonardo De Pascalis, Laura Bozicevic, Nienke Verkuijl, Stephen Gerry, et al.
- PMID
- 42813896
- DOI
- 10.1177/10556656261492389
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Otorhinolaryngology (top studies of the week, 4 October 2026): RCT of parent‑infant interaction for cleft lip, ENT outcomes
- Picked for Pediatric Surgery (top studies of the week, 4 October 2026): Video feedback vs support, no difference in parent‑infant outcomes
Abstract
ObjectivePrevious research has shown disruptions in parent-infant interactions and child cognition for families affected by cleft lip. This study assessed the impact of Video Feedback Treatment (VFT) vs. an active treatment control condition on these outcomes for children with cleft lip (CL) (with or without cleft palate) (CL ± P).DesignMulti-centre, parallel group, randomised controlled trial.SettingParticipants were recruited from 4 National Health Service (NHS) Cleft Centres in the UK.ParticipantsSixty-six parents of infants with CL ± P and without other serious medical conditions.InterventionThirty-two participants were allocated to the VFT group; thirty-four participants were allocated to an active control group - Support, Information and Advice (SIA). Parents in both groups received 6 home visits from a therapist from 1 week postpartum at approximately weekly intervals.Main Outcome MeasuresParental sensitivity (Global Rating Scale) in parent-infant interactions at 11 weeks, and infant cognitive performance (BSID-III) at 18 months.ResultsThere were no differences between VFT and SIA groups on the primary outcomes. Parent-infant interactions and infant cognitive outcomes in both VFT and SIA groups approached those for nonaffected populations and were better than those in previously reported, non-treated populations with CL ± P.ConclusionsThere were no differences between the 2 treatment groups for the main outcomes. The lack of a no-intervention control group precludes conclusions regarding treatment efficacy.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.