Improving care for preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit
Multisensory interventions to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants hospitalized 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.
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 ID | NIH-10892638 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the health and development of preterm infants who are hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). It aims to implement a structured multisensory intervention program called SENSE, which includes evidence-based practices such as massage, auditory exposure, and skin-to-skin care. These interventions are designed to provide positive sensory experiences that support brain development and help parents engage with their infants during hospitalization. By tailoring the interventions to the infant's developmental stage, the research seeks to optimize outcomes for both infants and their families.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are very preterm infants who are hospitalized in the NICU and their parents.
Not a fit: Patients who are not preterm or those who are not hospitalized in the NICU may not receive any benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved neurodevelopmental outcomes for preterm infants and strengthen parent-child relationships during critical early life stages.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown positive outcomes with multisensory interventions in the NICU, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pineda, Roberta — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Pineda, Roberta
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 below.