Early Behavioral Intervention for Preterm Infants
| Status: | Terminated |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Women's Studies |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Reproductive |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | Any |
| Updated: | 7/28/2016 |
| Start Date: | February 2015 |
| End Date: | May 2016 |
FNI Between Mothers and Preschool Age Children
The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of Family Nurture Intervention in
preschool aged children between 2.5 and 4.5 years of age who were born prematurely and
exhibit developmental deficits. The new approach is based on improving aspects of maternal
nurturing behaviors as well as mother-child co-regulation, which are important to early
development. Since young children with developmental deficits are often easily upset,
mothers will be taught how to co-regulate with their child through comfort and calming
interactions during 11 clinic visits. Assessments in the follow-up clinic will test the
immediate and long-term effects of this new approach to the nurture of children who were
born early and demonstrate developmental problems and behavioral problems.
preschool aged children between 2.5 and 4.5 years of age who were born prematurely and
exhibit developmental deficits. The new approach is based on improving aspects of maternal
nurturing behaviors as well as mother-child co-regulation, which are important to early
development. Since young children with developmental deficits are often easily upset,
mothers will be taught how to co-regulate with their child through comfort and calming
interactions during 11 clinic visits. Assessments in the follow-up clinic will test the
immediate and long-term effects of this new approach to the nurture of children who were
born early and demonstrate developmental problems and behavioral problems.
Mother-infant interactions are the foundation for the organization of the infant's
neurobiological, sensory, perceptual, emotional, physical, and relational systems (Hofer,
1987). For the developing infant, one of the most critical sources of regulatory input is
through contact with the mother and her nurturing behavior. The infant's responses to the
mother provide feedback that shapes her behavior as well. There are many co-regulatory
processes embedded in these synchronous and reciprocal interactions which cross
neurophysiological and neurobehavioral domains (Als, 1999). A necessary but detrimental
separation between mother and infant is created at a critical period when mother-infant
co-regulation should be developing. Regardless of NICU or well-baby nursery care, the
physiological challenges associated with being born too soon, along with disturbances in
normal mother-infant interactions are key factors underlying the risks of early and late
preterm infants for a broad range of early and midlife disorders (DeBoer, et al., 1984 if
this does not include late preterm, find another reference). This study compares common
early interventions such as occupational, physical, and speech therapy with a Family Nurture
Intervention (FNI), instituted at age 3 to 4 for preschool aged children with developmental
delays. This is a developmental time point at which delays including deficits in emotion
regulation, language, cognition, and attention are identifiable. The investigators
hypothesize that the Family Nurture Intervention will alter a wide range of physiological
regulatory capacities and will result in improved indices of mother psychological and child
neurobehavioral outcomes.
neurobiological, sensory, perceptual, emotional, physical, and relational systems (Hofer,
1987). For the developing infant, one of the most critical sources of regulatory input is
through contact with the mother and her nurturing behavior. The infant's responses to the
mother provide feedback that shapes her behavior as well. There are many co-regulatory
processes embedded in these synchronous and reciprocal interactions which cross
neurophysiological and neurobehavioral domains (Als, 1999). A necessary but detrimental
separation between mother and infant is created at a critical period when mother-infant
co-regulation should be developing. Regardless of NICU or well-baby nursery care, the
physiological challenges associated with being born too soon, along with disturbances in
normal mother-infant interactions are key factors underlying the risks of early and late
preterm infants for a broad range of early and midlife disorders (DeBoer, et al., 1984 if
this does not include late preterm, find another reference). This study compares common
early interventions such as occupational, physical, and speech therapy with a Family Nurture
Intervention (FNI), instituted at age 3 to 4 for preschool aged children with developmental
delays. This is a developmental time point at which delays including deficits in emotion
regulation, language, cognition, and attention are identifiable. The investigators
hypothesize that the Family Nurture Intervention will alter a wide range of physiological
regulatory capacities and will result in improved indices of mother psychological and child
neurobehavioral outcomes.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Infant is a singleton (matched between groups)
- Mother is 18 years of age or older
- Mother has at least one supporting person in the home (e.g. significant other,
mother, father, sibling, aunt, grandmother, step-parent)
- Child demonstrates developmental deficit (language, cognition, motor, emotion)
Exclusion Criteria:
- The child has severe congenital anomalies including chromosomal anomalies
- The child has severe motor or physical disability
- Mother currently presents with psychosis or is currently taking antipsychotic
medication
- Status of enrolled subject changes and subject no longer falls in inclusion criteria
- Mother and/or infant has a medical condition that precludes intervention components
- Mother and/or infant has a contagion that endangers other participants in the study
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