Theraplay

Summary

Introduction

Theraplay therapy is a structured intervention that is based on play and interaction. The target group is parents (biological, adoptive or foster parents) and their children aged 0–12 years. The goal of Theraplay is to strengthen parent–child attachment and interaction.

Objective and research question

This systematic literature review assesses the effectiveness of Theraplay on the basis of research literature. The review answers the following questions: In how much detail is Theraplay described? Does the Theraplay intervention have evidence-based effectiveness, applicable to Finland, in strengthening interaction between the child and the parent and supporting the child’s psychological wellbeing and socio-emotional development?

Data and research methods

A systematic literature search was carried out using the PCC search strategy (Population, Concept, Context), which focused on the question: What research has been done on the Theraplay intervention? The following keywords were used: P = children of pre-school and primary school age, adolescents and their parents, C = Theraplay, Marschak Interaction Method. Context was omitted to avoid an excessive restriction of the results of the search. The primary area of interest in the search was effectiveness studies carried out on the intervention, although studies carried out using different frameworks were also included. A systematic search was carried out for the following six reference databases: MEDLINE, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL, ERIC, Web of Science and Scopus. In addition, a search for publications in Finnish was performed on the Finna.fi service, and the search was supplemented by a manual search.

Results

Theraplay as an intervention is well-documented, and its mechanisms of action are based on attachment theory. Implementation support in Finland is at a very good level: training and qualification requirements are clearly specified, and the intervention’s home base provides implementers with ongoing consultation. Based on the search, eight effectiveness studies conducted in high-income countries as classified by the World Bank were selected for the methodology evaluation. Based on the methodology evaluation, there is promising evidence on the effectiveness of Theraplay. There is still a need for randomised controlled trials in which the intervention group is compared with a control group, the study design is based on power calculations, and the follow-up period extends further beyond the end of the intervention.

Methodology evaluation

Theraplay is an intervention with promising evidence (3/5). The available research evidence provides indications of the intervention’s benefits, particularly in addressing challenges related to the child’s emotional functioning, communication and behavioural regulation, and in strengthening parent–child interaction.