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Nurturing and quiet intervention (NeuroN‐QI) on preterm infants’ neurodevelopment and maternal stress and anxiety: A pilot randomized clinical trial protocol
Author(s) -
Aita Marilyn,
Héon Marjolaine,
Lavallée Andréane,
De Clifford Faugère Gwenaëlle,
Altit Gabriel,
Le May Sylvie,
Dorval Véronique,
Lippé Sarah,
Larone Juneau Audrey,
Remmer Elissa,
Rennick Janet E.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of advanced nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.948
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1365-2648
pISSN - 0309-2402
DOI - 10.1111/jan.14819
Subject(s) - medicine , randomized controlled trial , anxiety , gestational age , clinical trial , pilot trial , physical therapy , pregnancy , psychiatry , pathology , surgery , biology , genetics
Objectives Primary objective of this pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the NeuroN‐QI and the study procedures. Secondary objectives are to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the NeuroN‐QI by the nurses, assess the nurses’ training needs about the components of the NeuroN‐QI, and estimate the preliminary effects of the NeuroN‐QI on infants’ neurodevelopment as well as maternal stress and anxiety at infants’ 36 weeks of gestational age. Design A two‐group pilot parallel randomized clinical trial stratified by center. Methods The pilot study will be conducted in two neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). A sample of 24 mother–infant dyads born between 26 and 31 6/7 gestational age will be randomized into an experimental or control group. Fifty nurses will be recruited. The NeuroN‐QI consists of four 2‐hour skin‐to‐skin contact sessions/week with a 15‐minute auditory stimulation by mothers with controlled ambient levels of light and noise. A 1‐hour quiet period will follow where infants will rest in their incubator/crib with their mother's milk for olfactory stimulation and where the light and noise control will be continued. In the control group, mother–infant dyads will do four skin‐to‐skin contacts per week and receive standard care. Acceptability and feasibility of the NeuroN‐QI in addition to maternal stress and anxiety will be measured through questionnaires, while infants’ neurodevelopment will be assessed with Assessment of Preterm Infant Behaviour and General Movement Assessment. Conclusions This pilot trial will address knowledge gaps and generate evidence in neonatal care by evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of a multi‐component developmental care intervention. Impact This project is an innovative step towards optimizing the neurodevelopmental trajectory of infants in NICUs and consequently promoting their long‐term health outcomes. Trial Registration NCT04593095.