Preterm BirthCORE in NICUNCT06462638
COntact RElationship in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
An observational study of Preterm Birth and Postpartum Depression, run by Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica at 1 site in Italy.
Trial summary
The present research project aims to explore the value that contact relationships between caregivers and the preterm infant may have in terms of promoting developmental and maturational processes,by attending to the neurobehavioral states of the infant in response to maternal and paternal voice. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 50 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Preterm Birth, Postpartum Depression
- What is being tested?
- Neurobehavioral states and physiological parameters evaluation and Maternal vocal pitch evaluation to assess depressive/anxious state
- How many people
- 80 participants
- Where
- 1 siteItaly
- Study dates
- 1 Nov 2024to 31 Oct 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 50 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: Parents and infants born moderately preterm admitted to the NICU experience an unique and complex condition. Babies born moderately preterm, often present challenges related to their not-yet-complete development. The may have organs not yet fully developed resulting in face respiratory and nutritional difficulties. They may have also problems maintaining a stable body temperature, requiring the use of incubators. The high risk of infection is due to their immature immune systems, requiring a sterile and controlled environment. For parents, the long course of intensive care is an extremely stressful and anxiety-provoking experience. Many parents feel overwhelmed by fear and anxiety, and sometimes feel a sense of guilt or responsibility.
Who may be able to join
- For infants: Infants with gestational age between 33 and 36 weeks, weighing around 2kg (LBW - low birth weight), in whom life-threatening conditions have been averted and in stable medical condition will be included in the study.
- For parents: Male and female adults aged between 18 and 50 years.
Who cannot join
- For infants: Presence of congenital anomalies, neurological disorders, genetic syndromes, and any other condition of developmental atypicality.
- For parents: Parents under 18 years of age; Parents with diagnosed psychiatric disorders and/or sensory disabilities; single parents.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Maria Valeria Maiorana contact
Italy1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB)-National Reasearch Council (CNR), Messina 98164, Italy
Messina, 98164
Serena Iacono Isidoro, serena.iaconoisidoro@irib.cnr.it
Gennaro Tartarisco
About this study
Official title: Study on the Developmental Value of the Physical and Vocal Contact Relationship Between Preterm Infant in the NICU and Caregivers (Mother, Father, Nurse)
The present research project aims to explore the value that contact relationships between caregivers and the preterm infant may have in terms of promoting developmental and maturational processes,by attending to the neurobehavioral states of the infant in response to maternal and paternal voice.
The study is aimed at furthering the still underdeveloped knowledge regarding the possible effects of the paternal voice on the neurobehavioral states of the preterm infant in the crib, comparing them with the effects of exposure to the maternal voice and the voice of a familiar but non-parental figure, such as the NICU nurse.
Read more
These behavioral states will also be observed as a function of the psychological condition of the parents, investigating the presence of a possible postpartum depressive condition and/or anxiety of the mother and symptomatology attributable to perinatal affective disorders in the fathers, which are often overlooked; and again, the neurobehavioral responses of the infants will be correlated with the neurophysiological responses of the parents/nurses who interact with them through voice and touch.
The research aims to have a direct impact on both parents and health care personnel: in addition to questionnaires dedicated to screening parents for perinatal psychological disorders, artificial intelligence systems will be used to intercept possible postpartum depression early by recording the maternal voice, enabling the activation of a psychological support intervention and reducing the negative impact that a postpartum depression has on the early mother-child relationship. In addition, information on parent-child interactive modalities will be able to further guide the intake of assignment and particularly the accompaniment of parents during the time of hospitalization.
- Conditions
- Preterm Birth, Postpartum Depression
- Being tested
- Neurobehavioral states and physiological parameters evaluation, Maternal vocal pitch evaluation to assess depressive/anxious state
- Keywords
- preterm birth, contact relationship, postpartum depression
- Medical subject headings
- Premature Birth, Depression, Postpartum
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Neurobehavioral states and physiological parameters evaluationOther
Each individual infant included in the study will be assessed 3 times a week for at least two weeks: specifically, two detections of neurobehavioral states in response to interaction with the mother, two detections with the father, and two detections with the nurse(s) will be made.
For each infant involved in the study, an audio/video recording of cradle movements and vocalizations will be made at 3 different consecutive times (5 minutes each): baseline; recording during interaction with either parent or nurse; post-interaction assessment.
The parent or nurse is asked to interact freely with the baby, choosing whether to use voice and touch or only one of the sensory stimulation channels. During the interactions, parents and nurse will in turn be assessed relative to some basic physiological parameters through the use of a band applied to the chest; the infant's physiological parameters during the 3 times will also be recorded.
Maternal vocal pitch evaluation to assess depressive/anxious stateOther
Regarding the assessment of any depressive/anxious states of the mother, as an additional support to the self-report questionnaires the maternal vocal pitch will be specifically assessed through the "Talking about" software (AI algorithm applied to maternal postpartum depression research).
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Triad - Newborn, mother and father | The study involves triads of mother, father, moderately/late preterm born infant, admitted to the NICU. The population of moderately preterm infants admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and their parents are individuals who face a unique and complex set of challenges. These infants are at a stage when many of their organs and body systems are not yet fully developed. This incomplete development makes them particularly vulnerable to various medical complications.
As for the parents of these infants, the experience of having a baby admitted to the NICU is often a source of great emotional and psychological stress. Preterm birth, which is generally unexpected, can generate feelings of anxiety, fear and uncertainty about their baby's short- and long-term health. They need clear and understandable informational support to help them feel more involved and less helpless in their baby's care. Receives: Other: Neurobehavioral states and physiological parameters evaluation; Other: Maternal vocal pitch evaluation to assess depressive/anxious state |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale (NBAS)
The NBAS is best described as a neurobehavioral assessment scale, designed to describe the newborn's behavioral responses to his/her new extrauterine environment and to document the contribution of the newborn infant to the development of the emerging parent-child relationship. It assesses the newborn's behavioral repertoire with 28 behavioral items, each scored on a 9-point scale. It also includes an assessment of the infant's neurological status on 20 items, each scored on a 4-point scale. It is used to examine the effects of prematurity, low birthweight, undernutrition and a range of pre-and perinatal risk factors, the effects of prenatal substance exposure. The exam does not yield a single score but instead assesses the baby's capabilities across different developmental areas and describes how the baby integrates these areas as s/he deals with her/his new environment.
Measured: It takes about 20-30 minutes to administer
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
The EPDS is the most widely used tool for the screening of perinatal affective disorders during the transition to parenthood. It consists of 10 questions related to various symptoms of depression. The questions on the EPDS focus on depressed mood, anxiety and anhedonia. The EPDS has been constructed to assess depressive symptoms in postpartum women, but it can be used to make extremely fast screening in men who are experiencing the transition to parenthood.
The response format is a 4-point Likert scale (0 to 3), with an overall score between 0 and 30. A total score of greater than 10 indicates possible depression for mothers, whereas the optimal cutoff for fathers is 12/13.
Measured: The tool takes approximately 5 minutes to complete
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Jun 2024
- Study start1 Nov 2024
- Primary completion1 Apr 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Oct 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (5)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Preterm BirthStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Scienze Psicologiche,Pedagogiche,Università degli Studi di Palermo, UOC Neonatologia e UTIN, Presidio Ospedaliero G. F. Ingrassia di Palermo
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Gennaro Tartarisco, Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica
- Investigators
- Gennaro Tartarisco, Principal investigator, Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06462638
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CNR-IRIB-PRO-2024-007
- Acronym
- CORE in NICU
- Status last verified
- Apr 2025
- First submitted
- 12 Jun 2024
- Last updated
- 1 May 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Egmose I, Vaever MS, Smith-Nielsen J, Varni G, Koppe S. Motor activity and spatial proximity: Relationships to infant emotions and maternal postpartum depression. Infant Behav Dev. 2019 Nov;57:101335. doi: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2019.101335. Epub 2019 Jun 27.
PubMed 31254811Feldman, R. (2007). Parent-Infant Synchrony: Biological Foundations and Developmental Outcomes. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 16(6), 340-345. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8721.2007.00532
Lee H, White-Traut R. Physiologic responses of preterm infants to the male and female voice in the NICU. J Pediatr Nurs. 2014 Jan-Feb;29(1):e3-5. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2013.04.007. Epub 2013 May 14.
PubMed 23685267Provenzi L, Broso S, Montirosso R. Do mothers sound good? A systematic review of the effects of maternal voice exposure on preterm infants' development. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2018 May;88:42-50. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.03.009. Epub 2018 Mar 10.
PubMed 29535067Saliba S, Gratier M, Filippa M, Devouche E, Esseily R (2020). Fathers' and Mothers' Infant Directed Speech Infuences Preterm Infant Behavioral State in the NICU. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, 44:437-451. Doi: 10.1007/s10919-020-00335-1
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 May 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Study on the Developmental Value of the Physical and Vocal Contact Relationship Between Preterm Infant in the NICU and Caregivers (Mother, Father, Nurse)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06462638
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CORE in NICU / CNR-IRIB-PRO-2024-007
- Conditions
- Preterm Birth, Postpartum Depression
- Keywords
- preterm birth, contact relationship, postpartum depression
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione BiomedicaUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Scienze Psicologiche,Pedagogiche,Università degli Studi di Palermo, UOC Neonatologia e UTIN, Presidio Ospedaliero G. F. Ingrassia di Palermo
- Study start
- 1 Nov 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Apr 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 17 Jun 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The present research project aims to explore the value that contact relationships between caregivers and the preterm infant may have in terms of promoting developmental and maturational processes,by attending to the neurobehavioral states of the infant in response to maternal and paternal voice.
The study is aimed at furthering the still underdeveloped knowledge regarding the possible effects of the paternal voice on the neurobehavioral states of the preterm infant in the crib, comparing them with the effects of exposure to the maternal voice and the voice of a familiar but non-parental figure, such as the NICU nurse.
These behavioral states will also be observed as a function of the psychological condition of the parents, investigating the presence of a possible postpartum depressive condition and/or anxiety of the mother and symptomatology attributable to perinatal affective disorders in the fathers, which are often overlooked; and again, the neurobehavioral responses of the infants will be correlated with the neurophysiological responses of the parents/nurses who interact with them through voice and touch.
The research aims to have a direct impact on both parents and health care personnel: in addition to questionnaires dedicated to screening parents for perinatal psychological disorders, artificial intelligence systems will be used to intercept possible postpartum depression early by recording the maternal voice, enabling the activation of a psychological support intervention and reducing the negative impact that a postpartum depression has on the early mother-child relationship. In addition, information on parent-child interactive modalities will be able to further guide the intake of assignment and particularly the accompaniment of parents during the time of hospitalization.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Triad - Newborn, mother and father | – | Other: Neurobehavioral states and physiological parameters evaluation, Other: Maternal vocal pitch evaluation to assess depressive/anxious stateThe study involves triads of mother, father, moderately/late preterm born infant, admitted to the NICU. The population of moderately preterm infants admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and their parents are individuals who face a unique and complex set of challenges. These infants are at a stage when many of their organs and body systems are not yet fully developed. This incomplete development makes them particularly vulnerable to various medical complications. As for the parents of these infants, the experience of having a baby admitted to the NICU is often a source of great emotional and psychological stress. Preterm birth, which is generally unexpected, can generate feelings of anxiety, fear and uncertainty about their baby's short- and long-term health. They need clear and understandable informational support to help them feel more involved and less helpless in their baby's care. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 50 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- Parents and infants born moderately preterm admitted to the NICU experience an unique and complex condition. Babies born moderately preterm, often present challenges related to their not-yet-complete development. The may have organs not yet fully developed resulting in face respiratory and nutritional difficulties. They may have also problems maintaining a stable body temperature, requiring the use of incubators. The high risk of infection is due to their immature immune systems, requiring a sterile and controlled environment. For parents, the long course of intensive care is an extremely stressful and anxiety-provoking experience. Many parents feel overwhelmed by fear and anxiety, and sometimes feel a sense of guilt or responsibility.
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- For infants: Infants with gestational age between 33 and 36 weeks, weighing around 2kg (LBW - low birth weight), in whom life-threatening conditions have been averted and in stable medical condition will be included in the study.
- For parents: Male and female adults aged between 18 and 50 years.
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- For infants: Presence of congenital anomalies, neurological disorders, genetic syndromes, and any other condition of developmental atypicality.
- For parents: Parents under 18 years of age; Parents with diagnosed psychiatric disorders and/or sensory disabilities; single parents.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Neurobehavioral states and physiological parameters evaluationEach individual infant included in the study will be assessed 3 times a week for at least two weeks: specifically, two detections of neurobehavioral states in response to interaction with the mother, two detections with the father, and two detections with the nurse(s) will be made. For each infant involved in the study, an audio/video recording of cradle movements and vocalizations will be made at 3 different consecutive times (5 minutes each): baseline; recording during interaction with either parent or nurse; post-interaction assessment. The parent or nurse is asked to interact freely with the baby, choosing whether to use voice and touch or only one of the sensory stimulation channels. During the interactions, parents and nurse will in turn be assessed relative to some basic physiological parameters through the use of a band applied to the chest; the infant's physiological parameters during the 3 times will also be recorded. | Other | Triad - Newborn, mother and father |
| Maternal vocal pitch evaluation to assess depressive/anxious stateRegarding the assessment of any depressive/anxious states of the mother, as an additional support to the self-report questionnaires the maternal vocal pitch will be specifically assessed through the "Talking about" software (AI algorithm applied to maternal postpartum depression research). | Other | Triad - Newborn, mother and father |
Primary outcome
Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale (NBAS)
Time frame: It takes about 20-30 minutes to administer
The NBAS is best described as a neurobehavioral assessment scale, designed to describe the newborn's behavioral responses to his/her new extrauterine environment and to document the contribution of the newborn infant to the development of the emerging parent-child relationship. It assesses the newborn's behavioral repertoire with 28 behavioral items, each scored on a 9-point scale. It also includes an assessment of the infant's neurological status on 20 items, each scored on a 4-point scale. It is used to examine the effects of prematurity, low birthweight, undernutrition and a range of pre-and perinatal risk factors, the effects of prenatal substance exposure. The exam does not yield a single score but instead assesses the baby's capabilities across different developmental areas and describes how the baby integrates these areas as s/he deals with her/his new environment.
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
Time frame: The tool takes approximately 5 minutes to complete
The EPDS is the most widely used tool for the screening of perinatal affective disorders during the transition to parenthood. It consists of 10 questions related to various symptoms of depression. The questions on the EPDS focus on depressed mood, anxiety and anhedonia. The EPDS has been constructed to assess depressive symptoms in postpartum women, but it can be used to make extremely fast screening in men who are experiencing the transition to parenthood. The response format is a 4-point Likert scale (0 to 3), with an overall score between 0 and 30. A total score of greater than 10 indicates possible depression for mothers, whereas the optimal cutoff for fathers is 12/13.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 May 2025.
- Background: PubMed 31254811Egmose I, Vaever MS, Smith-Nielsen J, Varni G, Koppe S. Motor activity and spatial proximity: Relationships to infant emotions and maternal postpartum depression. Infant Behav Dev. 2019 Nov;57:101335. doi: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2019.101335. Epub 2019 Jun 27.
- BackgroundFeldman, R. (2007). Parent-Infant Synchrony: Biological Foundations and Developmental Outcomes. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 16(6), 340-345. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8721.2007.00532
- Background: PubMed 23685267Lee H, White-Traut R. Physiologic responses of preterm infants to the male and female voice in the NICU. J Pediatr Nurs. 2014 Jan-Feb;29(1):e3-5. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2013.04.007. Epub 2013 May 14.
- Background: PubMed 29535067Provenzi L, Broso S, Montirosso R. Do mothers sound good? A systematic review of the effects of maternal voice exposure on preterm infants' development. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2018 May;88:42-50. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.03.009. Epub 2018 Mar 10.
- BackgroundSaliba S, Gratier M, Filippa M, Devouche E, Esseily R (2020). Fathers' and Mothers' Infant Directed Speech Infuences Preterm Infant Behavioral State in the NICU. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, 44:437-451. Doi: 10.1007/s10919-020-00335-1
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Maria Valeria Maiorana contact
Gennaro Tartarisco principal investigator
Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Preterm Birth and Postpartum Depression, run by Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica at 1 site in Italy.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 May 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Italy. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Gennaro Tartarisco (3283377046, gennaro.tartarisco@irib.cnr.it), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale (NBAS) (time frame: It takes about 20-30 minutes to administer). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06462638, which also lists 5 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 May 2025.