Effectiveness Trial of Family Nurture Intervention as a Standard of Care in the Nicu

Objective: This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of Family Nurture Intervention (FNI) in the NICU on enhancing early brain activity of preterm infants. This unit‐wide implementation of FNI is referred to as Family Nurture Care (FNC). Methods: This was a single‐center prospective phased effectiveness study conducted in two sequential phases in the NICU (NCT03267043). In Phase I, all mother–infant dyads received the baseline standard care (SC), and in Phase II, all mother–infant dyads received SC supplemented with FNC starting at NICU admission. Preterm infants (25–34 weeks gestational age) and their mothers were eligible for participation. Preterm infants (25–34 weeks gestational age) were sequentially assigned to receive standard care (SC, Phase I) or FNC (Phase II) during their NICU stay. The primary outcome was EEG power assessed at two ages, ∼35 weeks (SC, n = 34; FNC, n = 28) and near to term (SC, n = 28; FNC, n = 27). FNC consisted of repeated calming sessions (∼3 times/week) facilitated by nurture specialists during which mothers engaged in emotional expression during clothed or skin‐to‐skin holding, vocal soothing, and eye contact. EEGs were collected from 128 leads. EEG power was computed using fast Fourier transforms. Results: Infants receiving FNC were found to have significantly higher brain activity (EEG power) at 35 weeks in the left frontal polar region. The effects at lower frequencies 4–15 Hz ranged from 26% to 44% with effect sizes exceeding 0.60. Conclusions: FNI is practicable as standard of care in the NICU and leads to enhanced brain activity early in life. Significance: FNC is designed to facilitate the emotional connection and coregulation between mothers and infants in the NICU, resulting in profound effects on early brain development

Biology · Brain development · Developmental psychology · Intervention (counseling) · Nature versus nurture · Neonatal intensive care unit · Psychiatry · Standard of care · Infant Development and Preterm Care · Internal Medicine · Medicine · Neonatal and fetal brain pathology · Neonatal Respiratory Health Research · Neuroscience · Psychology · Pediatrics