A scoping review of randomized controlled trials of parenting and family-based interventions for 10 – 17 year-olds with severe and persistent conduct problems

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ABSTRACT Purpose A scoping review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of parenting and family-based interventions that aim to reduce severe and persistent conduct problems among 10–17 year-olds. The review also examined feasibility for conducting a network meta-analysis of common therapy elements measured by RCTs. Materials and methods The review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA- ScR). Searches were conducted in ERIC, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE without limits on publication year, language or publication country. Study methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for RCTs. Results Twenty-five eligible RCTs were identified. The studies trialed nine interventions, with Multisystemic Therapy (MST) being the most evaluated (N = 10), followed by Functional Family Therapy (FFT, N = 4), and Treatment Foster Care Oregon (TFCO, N = 3). Only 10 of the 25 RCTs revealed treatment effect on conduct problems, including 6 of 9 MST, 1 of 4 FFT and all 3 TFCO trials. Discussion Surprisingly few RCTs of parenting and family-based interventions have been carried out exclusively with this population. Available data suggests that MST and FFT have uncertain effectiveness for reducing severe and persistent conduct problems. While the quality of the reviewed studies was generally high, only two reported substantive data on common therapy elements. Conclusion There is need for more RCTs of parenting and family-based interventions delivered for older children and adolescents with severe and persistent conduct problems. Future RCTs should systematically measure common therapy elements with a view to advancing intervention science.