Randomized Trial of a Responsive Parenting Program to Support Brain Growth and Self-Control in Prematurely Born Toddlers

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether the Play and Learning Strategies PALS parenting intervention improves caregiver responsiveness and supports the development of skills and brain growth in toddlers born prematurely. This study focuses on prevention by assessing how responsive parenting affects toddler self-regulation and neurological development. It is sponsored by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston. The study compares two groups one receiving the PALS intervention, which teaches a responsive parenting style through nine weekly coaching sessions delivered online via the ENGAGE platform, and a control group provided with weekly developmental milestone information and coach calls. The intervention includes teaching caregivers contingent responsiveness, warm sensitivity, attention maintenance, and verbal scaffolding. Both groups participate over nine weeks, with the control group maintaining communication to match the intervention contact. Participants will take part in assessments at baseline, shortly after the intervention, and again four months later. These assessments include observations of parent-child interactions, toddler attention and emotional regulation tasks, language development inventories, and brain imaging using MRI and EEG. Researchers will measure changes in parental behaviors, toddler skills, neurological markers, and family environment factors. The total participation spans several months, including follow-up evaluations to monitor lasting effects.

A Randomized Control Trial of a Responsive Parenting Intervention to Support Healthy Brain Development and Self-regulation in Toddlers Born Preterm