Testing newborn–mother synchrony at home using remote monitoring
Understanding Newborn-Mother Synchrony at Home: Feasibility of Remote Monitoring
This project will test whether home monitoring devices can track how mothers and their newborns sync up physically and behaviorally, and whether a mother's heart rate patterns relate to postpartum depression symptoms.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 0 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Turku Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Turku) |
| Trial ID | NCT07392138 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The study will enroll 30 mother–newborn pairs to collect physiological and behavioral data in the home using wearable and other remote monitoring devices. Researchers will measure heart rate variability in mothers alongside synchronized behavioral observations of mother and baby to characterize moment-to-moment interaction. Participants must speak Finnish, have an Android smartphone, and the newborn must be under one month of age and cleared as healthy from the birth hospitalization. The primary aim is to determine feasibility and data quality of remote monitoring in a natural home environment and to explore links between maternal heart rate variability and postpartum depressive symptoms.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Finnish-speaking mothers with healthy newborns under one month old who have an Android smartphone and are willing to use home monitoring devices.
Not a fit: Mothers who do not speak Finnish, do not have an Android phone, or whose infants require specialized medical care are unlikely to be eligible or benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enable earlier, at-home detection of disrupted mother–infant interaction or maternal distress and help target support sooner.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory studies have documented mother–infant synchrony and links between heart rate variability and mood, but applying remote home monitoring to newborn–mother synchrony is relatively novel and less tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria, mothers: * ability to participate in Finnish * Android smart phone available Inclusion Criteria, newborns: * received informed consent from both parents/guardians * the newborn's health has been stated normal during hospital stay * the newborn is \< 1-month of age Exclusion Criteria, both (mother and newborn): Not meeting the inclusion criteria
Where this trial is running
Turku
- Turku University Hospital — Turku, Finland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Anna Axelin, Professor
- Email: anmaax@utu.fi
- Phone: +358405029905
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.