Actively Recruiting
Immersive Physical Therapy in the NICU: Comparing Delivery Models to Improve Infant and Parent Outcomes
Led by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · Updated on 2026-02-17
150
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Lead Sponsor
F
Foundation for Physical Therapy Research
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating how different physical and occupational therapy programs in the Newborn Critical Care Center affect parents' stress levels and their ability to care for their preterm infants. The study includes a retrospective group and two prospective groups to evaluate changes over time as hospital initiatives evolve. These initiatives involve changes in care models for infants born before 29 weeks gestation. The study compares three groups: one receiving usual care, another cared for in a Small Baby Unit (SBU), and a third where parents participate in immersive physical therapy with their infants. These groups correspond to different stages of hospital care improvements. The therapies focus on physical therapy visits, minutes billed, and parent involvement in therapy techniques during the infant's hospital stay. Participants will be assessed from birth until hospital discharge, with follow-up up to 4 months of life. Researchers will measure the number of therapy visits and parent interactions, infant motor skills and neurobehavior, as well as changes in maternal stress and parent competence. Data collection includes evaluations at 34 to 36 weeks postmenstrual age, aiming to understand the impact of care models on both infants and their parents.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Immersive Physical Therapy in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Infant born before 29 weeks gestation
- Infant born or transferred to UNC's Newborn Critical Care Center within 48 hours of life
- For Small Baby Unit or Immersive Physical Therapy groups: Infant cared for at specific UNC Hospital locations through at least 34 weeks postmenstrual age
- Biological mother of the infant
- Female sex
- Understands English or Spanish
- At least 18 years old
You will not qualify if you...
- Infant likely to transfer to an outside hospital
- Infant has a genetic abnormality, congenital neurological, or musculoskeletal disorder
- Not the biological parent
- Male sex
- Does not understand English or Spanish
- Under 18 years old
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - From birth to hospital discharge, assessed up to 4 months of life
Participants who undergo routine care are observed to assess physical therapy visits, therapy minutes, and parent-administered interactions from birth to hospital discharge.
Ongoing assessments during hospital stay
Duration - At 34 to 36 weeks postmenstrual age
Participants are assessed for infant motor skills and neurobehavior as well as changes in maternal stress and parent competence at 34 to 36 weeks postmenstrual age.
1 to 2 visits
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
UNC Hospitals
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States, 27599
Actively Recruiting
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
3
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