Helping preterm babies in the NICU grow and develop better with gentle sensory experiences
Official title: Multisensory interventions to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11169838 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to help very preterm babies in the NICU develop well by providing them with gentle, positive sensory experiences and supporting their parents.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $672,443 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD105557-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11169838 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This project is designed for very preterm infants who are hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not preterm infants or are not receiving care in a neonatal intensive care unit would not directly benefit from this specific program.
What this research studies
When babies are born very early, they often spend their first months in the NICU, where they might miss out on important positive sensory experiences and time with their parents, which can affect their brain development. Our program, called SENSE, offers a structured way to give these babies specific gentle sensory activities like massage, soft sounds, rocking, holding, and skin-to-skin care. These activities are carefully timed and chosen based on each baby's developmental stage. We also help parents learn how to engage with their baby in the NICU to strengthen their bond and support their baby's growth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could lead to better brain development and overall well-being for preterm infants, and help parents feel more connected and involved in their baby's care.
How similar studies have gone: While other studies support positive multisensory interventions, this project introduces a new, structured program called SENSE to apply these interventions consistently.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pineda, Roberta — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Pineda, Roberta
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Multisensory care to boost development in preterm babies in the NICU
A program called SENSE uses gentle touch, sounds, and parent bonding in the NICU to support brain development for very preterm infants and help families stay involved.
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Improving care for preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit
This study is testing a special program called SENSE to help preterm babies in the NICU grow and develop better by using gentle touch, sounds, and skin-to-skin time, while also helping parents connect with their little ones during their hospital stay.
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Phthalate Exposure and How It Affects Newborns in the NICU
This grant looks at how chemicals called phthalates in the NICU environment may affect the health and development of newborns, especially those born prematurely.
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Improving care for opioid use disorder in the ICU
This project helps hospital staff in intensive care units provide better care for patients with opioid use disorder.
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Juggling Work and Family for Parents of Very Preterm Babies
A study to understand how work and family demands affect parents of very preterm infants and how this shapes their ability to support their baby’s development.
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Implementing SDOH screening and referrals in the NICU to support fragile newborns
A NICU-based program to screen newborns and families for social needs and connect them to services that can improve health and development.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.