Sensory Optimization of the Hospital Environment

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · Jan 27, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called "Sensory Optimization of the Hospital Environment," aims to improve the health and well-being of preterm infants and their parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The study focuses on a program called Supporting and Enhancing NICU Sensory Experiences (SENSE), which includes activities like gentle massage, listening to calming sounds, rocking, holding, and skin-to-skin contact. These activities are carefully timed and tailored to each baby's development and medical condition. By doing this, the researchers hope to see positive effects not only on the infants’ growth and brain activity but also on how parents interact with their babies and how they feel mentally.

To participate in this trial, infants must be born at or before 32 weeks of gestation and recruited within their first week of life. Unfortunately, babies who are older than 32 weeks at birth, older than 7 days, or have certain health concerns, like congenital anomalies or severe medical threats, cannot take part. Parents involved in the study will receive guidance on how to perform these sensory activities with their infants during their hospital stay. This research could lead to better outcomes for both babies and their families, especially in terms of language development as the children grow.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • ≤ 32 weeks estimated gestational age (EGA)
• • recruited within the first week of life
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • \> 32 weeks EGA at birth
• • \>7 days old
• • become wards of the state
• • have a suspected or confirmed congenital anomaly
• • face a high immediate threat of death, per the opinion of the attending physician.