Using wearable sensors to assess how mothers respond to their infants' distress to prevent substance use disorders.
Official title: Automated Assessment of Maternal Sensitivity to Infant Distress: Leveraging Wearable Sensors for Substance Use Disorder Prevention and Research
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-10936520 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how mothers can better respond to their babies' feelings to help prevent future substance use problems, using special sensors to see how these interactions happen, so we can find new ways to support moms and encourage healthy parenting.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $433,219 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA059423-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10936520 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include mothers of infants and young children who are at risk for substance use disorders due to familial or environmental factors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not mothers or who do not have infants or young children may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the critical role of maternal sensitivity to infant distress in preventing substance use disorders. By leveraging wearable sensors, the study aims to develop algorithms that can remotely assess how mothers respond to their infants' emotional needs. This approach will help identify patterns in mother-infant interactions that contribute to healthy emotional development and potentially reduce the risk of substance use issues later in life. The findings could lead to innovative interventions that support mothers and promote positive parenting practices.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing substance use disorders in future generations by enhancing maternal responsiveness.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that early maternal interactions significantly impact child development, suggesting that this approach could be effective in addressing substance use prevention.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Barbaro, Kaya — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: De Barbaro, Kaya
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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.