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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04221776

Group Toilet Training of Healthy Children, in Daycare Centers (CRCT)

Evaluation of a new method of toilet training (TT), meaning TT in group in daycare centers, guided by a TT expert. Children are included based on signs of readiness for TT.

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Key information

Conditions

Toilet Training Child, Preschool

Age range

18 month–30 month

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University Hospital Antwerp

Antwerp, Belgium

About this study

A cluster randomized controlled trial (CRCT) was established in daycare centers. Clusters of participants (per daycare center) were randomly allocated to an Intervention group or a Control group.

Evolution of the TT process was monitored in the daycare center until the child was considered to be fully toilet trained (or 'clean') during the day (this means wearing undergarments, conscious of the need to void and initiating toilet behavior without reminder of the parents with a maximum of one leakage a day [9]).

Daycare workers evaluated the TT process of all participating children on a weekly basis. Parents were asked to fill in an online questionnaire when their child was completely toilet trained.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • knowledge of the Dutch language
  • aged between 18 and 30 months
  • not yet toilet trained during the day and night (diaper dependent)
  • Parents of the children had to be motivated to participate in the study and willing to invest time and effort in continuing the TT at home
  • Children met at least two of the following three signs of readiness: the child expresses a need to evacuate and shows awareness of the need to void or to have a bowel movement; the child insists on completing tasks without help and is proud of new skills; or the child can pull clothes up and down in a TT related context

Exclusion criteria

  • Children with urological, neurological, organical or behavior problems

Treatment and study plan

Group toilet training in daycare

Other

During the training, children wore underpants, were informed about potty training, were encouraged to drink often and were asked regularly if they felt the need to void. Tutors looked for elimination signals in the child and quickly responded by putting the child on the potty when he/she expressed the need to void or to defecate. Children were positively rewarded. Parents received a leaflet containing practical tips concerning TT and their child's successes of the past two days. They were asked to continue TT at home during the following weekend and longer if necessary. Daycare workers were asked to pay more attention on the TT during the following days and weeks to ensure the effect of the intervention.

Individual toilet training at home

Other

Parents were encouraged to start TT their child, because they were considered as being ready to initiate TT. Children did not receive any intervention, but parents were asked to start TT in their own manner. Parents were allowed to search for information on methods of TT with their relatives, internet, books,...

Primary outcomes

  1. Duration of toilet training

    Time frame: 6 weeks

    Number of weeks needed for the child to become fully toilet trained

Secondary outcomes

  1. Effectiveness of toilet training

    Time frame: 6 weeks

    Number of children that acquire cleanliness at 6 weeks time

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Hospital, Antwerp

Other

Collaborators

  • Universiteit Antwerpen

Registry information

Official study title

Implementing a New Method of Group Toilet Training in Daycare Centers: a Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2017
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2019
First posted
Jan 9, 2020
Registry last updated
Jan 21, 2020

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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