What this study is about
This study checks tools that help find babies who seem withdrawn or not linking with people.
One tool is the Alarm Distress Baby Scale (ADBB). A short version is called the m-ADBB.
What will happen
Health visitors will learn to use the m-ADBB and ADBB at 6 to 8 week checks.
The study will see if the tools work well, fit into normal visits, and if parents are happy with them.
Who sponsors it
The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood commissioned the Institute of Health Visiting to conduct a study, in partnership with Professor Jane Barlow from the University of Oxford, on the use of the ADBB and m-ADBB, within health visiting services in the UK.
Recruitment end date: 31 March 2026.
Non-urgent advice: For information about any of our research:
- General enquiries: rdash.groundedresearch@nhs.net
- Governance enquiries: rdash.research-gov@nhs.net
- Service evaluations: rdash.service.evaluations@nhs.net
Published: November 25, 2025