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Updated: Feb 19, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Effectiveness of interventions during NICU hospitalization on the neurodevelopment of preterm infants: a systematic
Marilyn Aita1,2, Robyn Stremler3,4, Nancy Feeley5,6
1Faculty of Nursing, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada. marilyn.aita@umontreal.ca.
Insights
This systematic review evaluates interventions like sensory stimulation and parental involvement to improve neurodevelopment in preterm infants during neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization. Findings will guide clinical practice and research in neonatal care.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Developmental neuroscience
- Evidence-based medicine
Background:
- Previous reviews focused on long-term neurodevelopment post-NICU discharge.
- No reviews have assessed interventions during NICU hospitalization for preterm infants' neurodevelopment.
- This review addresses that gap by examining in-hospital interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions on preterm infants' neurodevelopment during NICU hospitalization.
- To identify specific interventions, such as sensory stimulation, parental involvement, and environmental control, that promote neurodevelopment.
- To provide evidence-based guidance for neonatal clinical practice and future research.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of experimental studies (RCTs, cluster RCTs) published between 2002-2017 in English or French.
- Searches of major databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Web of Science).
- Data extraction and risk of bias assessment by two neonatology experts; meta-analysis and subgroup analyses planned; GRADE for evidence quality.
Main Results:
- (Results not yet available as this is a protocol.)
- The review will synthesize findings on the impact of specific interventions.
- Potential subgroup analyses include gestational age, hospitalization length, and intervention characteristics.
Conclusions:
- This systematic review will identify effective interventions for preterm infants' neurodevelopment during NICU stays.
- Results will inform clinical practice and research in neonatal intensive care.
- Contributes to optimizing developmental outcomes for vulnerable preterm infants.
Background:
Previous systematic reviews have examined preterm infants' long-term neurodevelopment after neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge, although none have explored the effectiveness of interventions on preterm infants' neurodevelopment during NICU hospitalization. The aim of this review is to evaluate whether interventions, i.e., sensory stimulation, parental involvement, and control of environment, improve preterm infants' neurodevelopment during their NICU hospitalization.
Methods:
Experimental studies such as randomized controlled/clinical trials (RCTs) and cluster RCT will be included in this systematic review. Selected studies will be published in English or in French, in the past 15 years from 2002 to 2017. The following electronic databases will be searched to locate relevant studies: CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE (OVID), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Science. For all steps in selecting studies, agreement will be reached between two experts in neonatology. Data extraction will be performed independently by the two same experts and will then be compared. The Cochrane assessment tool will be used to screen the studies for risk of bias. A meta-analysis will be performed if the included studies are sufficiently homogeneous. Results will be analyzed using a standardized mean difference (with a 95% confidence interval). Statistical heterogeneity will be evaluated using the χ 2 test at the significance level of 0.1 and the I 2 with the classification suggested by PRISMA-P. If possible, subgroup analyses will be carried out considering preterm infants' gestational age, length of NICU hospitalization, and the characteristics of the intervention such as who delivered it, the type, the dose, the frequency, and the duration. Data synthesis will be performed using the RevMan 5.1 software. Publication bias and selection of variables in publication will be examined using the graphical method of funnel plot and with the statistical test of Egger. Quality of the evidence of all outcomes will be assessed using the Grades of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group.
Discussion:
The results of this systematic review will highlight which interventions are effective for promoting preterm infants' neurodevelopment during NICU hospitalization and will contribute to the body of knowledge in neonatal care by providing guidance for NICU clinical practice and research.
Systematic Review Registration:
PROSPERO CRD42017047072.
