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Updated: Jul 11, 2025
Preterm EEG: A Multimodal Neurophysiological Protocol
Published on: February 18, 2012
Multisensory stimulation bundles on sleep and neurobehavioral development in the first year after birth in very
Xiaoli Tang1,2, Sha Sha1, Nanping Shen2
1Department of Neonatology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, National Children's Medical Center (Shanghai), Shanghai, China.
Insights
Multisensory stimulation bundles may improve sleep efficiency and neurodevelopmental outcomes in very preterm infants (VPIs). This randomized crossover trial assesses these benefits during hospitalization and post-discharge follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Developmental pediatrics
- Sleep science
Background:
- Disrupted sleep in very preterm infants (VPIs) is linked to neurodevelopmental issues.
- A novel protocol using multisensory stimulation bundles is proposed to improve VPI sleep.
- This study protocol is for an evaluator-blinded, randomized crossover trial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the sleep efficiency of hospitalized VPIs using multisensory stimulation bundles.
- To evaluate the impact of these bundles on infant sleep during hospitalization.
- To observe sleep and neurodevelopmental outcomes in the first year post-discharge.
Main Methods:
- The study involves hospitalized VPIs in a tertiary pediatric hospital.
- Infants will receive standard care and then standard care plus multisensory stimulation bundles, in random order, each for 2 weeks.
- Sleep will be measured using Actiwatch-2, and neurodevelopment using amplitude-integrated electroencephalography and Griffiths Mental Development Scales.
Main Results:
- This section is not available in the provided abstract.
Conclusions:
- The multisensory stimulation bundle protocol offers precise, consistent stimulation mimicking maternal effects.
- This intervention may enhance sleep and early neurodevelopment in hospitalized VPIs.
- Findings could support the integration of this protocol in neonatal intensive care units, offering new parent-infant interaction strategies.
Background:
Disrupted sleep is believed to contribute to short- and long-term neurodevelopmental problems in very preterm infants (VPIs). This study presents a protocol for an evaluator-blinded, randomized crossover trial. It aims to assess the sleep efficiency of hospitalized VPIs by providing multisensory stimulation bundles. Furthermore, it aims to observe the intervention impacts on sleep during hospitalization of the VPIs and their sleep and neurodevelopmental outcomes during the first year of post-discharge follow-up.
Methods:
The study will be conducted in the neonatology department of a tertiary pediatric teaching hospital. All the eligible VPIs will undergo two types of care in random order: "standard care" (2 weeks) and "standard care plus multisensory stimulation bundles," each lasting 2 weeks. A generated list of random numbers will be used for case sequence allocation. Sleep outcomes will be evaluated using the Actiwatch-2 Actigraph. Moreover, the amplitude-integrated electroencephalography and the Griffiths Mental Development Scales will be used to measure the neurodevelopmental outcomes during hospitalization and in the first year of follow-up of the VPIs.
Discussion:
The intervention protocol of this study differs from that of other traditional interventions by producing precise and consistent supportive stimulations, similar to maternal tactile, auditory, posture, and visual effects for hospitalized VPIs. This protocol could be an effective measure to facilitate sleep and early neurodevelopment of VPIs. The expected outcomes will help confirm the implementation and generalization of the multisensory stimulation bundles' care protocol in neonatology departments. We expect that the study will positively impact hospitalized VPIs, especially in their sleep and early neurodevelopmental outcomes. It will also provide a new perspective regarding parent and infant interaction strategies, particularly for newborn intensive care units that limit visits because of the global spread of COVID-19.
Trial Registration:
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR 2200059099. Registered on 25 April 2022, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=166980 ; the Hospital Research Ethics Committee (approval number: SCMCIRB-K2021086-1, Version 01), approved on 21 January 2022.
