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Updated: Feb 17, 2026
Preterm EEG: A Multimodal Neurophysiological Protocol
Published on: February 18, 2012
Multicentre prospective randomised single-blind controlled study protocol of the effect of an additional
Karine Pelc1,2, Irit Daniel2, Bernard Wenderickx2
1Department of Paediatrics, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Saint-Pierre, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium.
Insights
This study evaluates a parent-led stimulation program for preterm infants to improve neurodevelopment. The intervention aims to optimize motor and neurophysiological outcomes in high-risk newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
Background:
- Preterm and very low birthweight infants face elevated risks for neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Early interventions are crucial for optimizing neurological development in these vulnerable infants.
- Interventions should consider parental mental health, parent-child interaction, and duration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of a parent-administered stimulation program on preterm infants' motor and neurophysiological development.
- To assess the impact of the intervention from 37 weeks' gestation to 6 months' corrected age.
- To investigate the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes up to 24 months' corrected age.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial involving infants born <32 weeks' gestation or <1500g.
- Intervention group received a stimulation program; control group received standard follow-up.
- Data collection included perinatal, clinical, neuroimaging, Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Parental Stress Index, and high-density EEG.
Main Results:
- (Pre-results: Study ongoing)
- Analysis will focus on spatiotemporal frequency bands and source localization from EEG data.
- Neurodevelopmental assessments and parental stress will be tracked over 24 months corrected age.
Conclusions:
- The study will provide insights into the efficacy of parent-led early intervention for preterm infants.
- Findings may inform clinical practice and policy for optimizing neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- Results will be disseminated to stakeholders, families, healthcare providers, and policymakers.
Introduction:
Preterm and very low birthweight infants are at increased risk for neurodevelopmental disorders, including cerebral palsy, sensory impairment and intellectual disability. Several early intervention approaches have been designed in the hope of optimising neurological development in this context. It seems important that the intervention takes into account parental mental health, focuses on parent-child interactions and lasts sufficiently long. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a stimulation programme administered by parents until 6 months post-term on motor and neurophysiological development of infants born preterm.
Methods And Analysis:
Participants will be infants born <32 weeks' gestation and/or with a birth weight <1500 g recruited prospectively from two tertiary neonatal intensive care units. They will be randomly assigned to receive nationally recommended follow-up only (control group) or also a stimulation programme between 37 weeks' gestation and 6 months' corrected age. Perinatal, clinical neurodevelopmental, socio-demographic and neuroimaging (ultrasonography or MRI) data will be collected. Bayley Scales of Infant Development will be used up to 24 months' corrected age and Parental Stress Index at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months' corrected age. High-density (64 or 128 electrodes) EEG, visual, somatosensory and long latency auditory evoked potentials will be recorded at term age, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months' corrected age. They will be analysed for spatiotemporal frequency bands contents and source localisation.
Ethics And Dissemination:
The study was approved by the Ethics Committees of the Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants Reine Fabiola and CHU Saint-Pierre. Results dissemination will be made for stakeholders and families, reports will be written for parents, healthcare providers and policymakers, and scientific papers will be published.
Trial Registration Number:
NCT02159534; Pre-results.
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