Improving motor and cognitive skills in very preterm infants

Efficacy of Motor and Cognitive Intervention for Infants Born Very Preterm

NIH-funded research University of Southern California · NIH-10437697

This study is looking at ways to help very premature babies develop better by combining motor skills training with support for their parents, so they can learn how to help their little ones thrive during their time in the NICU.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Southern California NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10437697 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on infants born very preterm, who are at high risk for developmental disabilities. It aims to evaluate a combined intervention that includes motor skills training and parent engagement to enhance the infant's cognitive and motor development. The approach involves randomized clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of these interventions during the critical early months of life, particularly in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting. By empowering parents to better understand and respond to their infants' needs, the study seeks to improve overall developmental outcomes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants born very preterm, specifically those born at or before 28 weeks of gestation.

Not a fit: Patients who are not born very preterm or those who do not exhibit developmental disabilities may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to significant improvements in motor and cognitive skills for infants born very preterm, potentially reducing the risk of long-term developmental disabilities.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results with similar interventions aimed at enhancing motor skills and parent engagement in preterm infants.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.