A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial to Increase the Sustainment of an Indoor–Outdoor-Free-Play Program in Early Childhood Education and Care Services: A Study Protocol for the Sustaining Play, Sustaining Health (SPSH) Trial

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 8 authors, 6 centres

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This paper describes the protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) designed to evaluate a sustainment strategy for an evidence-based physical activity practice in early childhood education and care (ECEC) services. The study aims to provide proof-of-concept data to inform a future fully powered trial, addressing a gap in evidence on how to sustain health-promotion programs in the ECEC context.

STUDY TYPE

other

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pediatrics

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AI pipeline

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100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10048850

A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial to Increase the Sustainment of an Indoor–Outdoor-Free-Play Program in Early Childhood Education and Care Services: A Study Protocol for the Sustaining Play, Sustaining Health (SPSH) Trial

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

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ABSTRACT

Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings are important environments to support children’s physical activity (PA). In 2021, COVID-19 regulations recommended the provision of indoor–outdoor free-play programs in ECEC settings to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, resulting in an increased uptake of this practice. As the context has since changed, research suggests that ECEC services could cease the implementation of these practices. Therefore, this pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) aims to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of a sustainment strategy to ensure the ongoing implementation (sustainment) of ECEC-delivered indoor–outdoor free-play programs. Twenty ECEC services located in New South Wales, Australia that have implemented indoor–outdoor free-play programs since the release of COVID-19 guidelines will be recruited. The services will be randomly allocated either the sustainment strategy or usual care. The “Sustaining Play, Sustaining Health” program consists of eight strategies, developed to address key barriers against and facilitators of sustainment informed by the Integrated Sustainability Framework. The outcomes will be assessed via internal project records, staff surveys, and a self-reported measure of free play. This study will provide important data to support the performance of a fully powered trial within Australian ECEC settings and to inform the development of future sustainment strategies.

CITATION EXPORT

Noor Imad, Nicole Pearson, Alix Hall et al.. A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial to Increase the Sustainment of an Indoor–Outdoor-Free-Play Program in Early Childhood Education and Care Services: A Study Protocol for the Sustaining Play, Sustaining Health (SPSH) Trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20065043

AUTHORS

8 · 6 CENTRES

Noor Imad, Nicole Pearson, Alix Hall, Adam Shoesmith, Nicole Nathan, Luke Giles, Alice Grady, Serene Yoong

1School of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Allied Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia
2Faculty of Health, School of Health and Social Development, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
3Hunter New England Population Health, Wallsend, NSW 2287, Australia
4School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
5Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
6Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia

EDITOR / REVIEWER

Wojciech Kolanowski