Faculty / Staff Resources Student Resources
University of Southern California
University of Southern California
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
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Research
Research

Multisensory Interventions to Improve Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Preterm Infants Hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

ReHaB Core ⟩ NICU Lab ⟩

Principal Investigator: Bobbi Pineda PhD, OTR/L, CNT

Period
Mar 2022 – Mar 2027

Total funding
$3,911,770 (anticipated)

During hospitalization in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), premature infants repeatedly experience negative sensory experiences. Evidence suggests that combined with prematurity, experiences in the NICU environment are disruptive to neurodevelopment. The Supporting and Enhancing NICU Sensory Experiences (SENSE) Program is designed to ameliorate these negative experiences through the promotion of tailored and age-appropriate positive sensory experiences between parents and their infants. The feasibility, efficacy, and adaptability of the SENSE program have been established through previous projects. This project is a randomized control trial, with the goal to determine the impact of the SENSE program on neonatal neurobehavioral outcomes, including electrocortical activity trajectories.

Funding

Type Source Number Amount
Federal NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) 1R01HD105557 $3,911,770 (anticipated)