This study evaluates the effect of a late intervention of continuous skin-to-skin contact (SSC) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Half of the participants will receive the intervention and the other half will receive standard care.
The intervention is based on a method developed to facilitate closeness and human touch between parents and preterm infants in neonatal intensive care. Continuous skin-to-skin contact (SSC) means, in this study, that the late preterm infant is cared for skin-to-skin on the parents' chest, instead of in a heating-bed, 24 hours a day. The parents will take turns to care for the infant in SSC.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
11
Infants will rest in skin-to-skin contact on parents' chest 24 hours a day alternating between the parents. The parents will note who provides the SSC and if and for how long they are off SSC for any reason.
Infants will receive regular care in the NICU. Parents may practice SSC if they like. Parents will note if, with whom, and for how long they provide SSC.
University Hospital
Linköping, Sweden
University hospital Örebro
Örebro, Sweden
Uppsala University Hospital
Uppsala, Sweden
Sleep quality
sleep diary every day for five days
Time frame: Day 1 to 5
Mood
Mood Adjective Checklist (MACL)
Time frame: day 2 to 5
Bonding
Mother to Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS)
Time frame: Baseline and 1-3 days before planned discharge from the NICU.
Depression
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, EPDS
Time frame: Baseline and 1-3 days before planned discharge from the NICU.
Anxiety
State Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI
Time frame: Baseline and 1-3 days before planned discharge from the NICU.
Activity
Actigraph every day for five days
Time frame: Day 1-5
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