Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Preterm EEG: A Multimodal Neurophysiological Protocol
Published on: February 18, 2012
Protocol and Preliminary Findings from the BrainPALS Study in Very Preterm Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial of
Dhawal Sanjay Bandrey1,2, Christie S Vieux3, Haley M Laughlin4
1Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Insights
A digital parenting program (ePALS) shows promise for improving caregiver responsiveness in families with very preterm (VPT) children. This intervention may support neurodevelopmental outcomes in these at-risk infants.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Children born very preterm (VPT) face higher risks for neurodevelopmental issues and self-regulation deficits.
- Responsive parenting interventions like PALS can improve caregiver behavior, but their impact on VPT neurodevelopment needs further study.
- A digital adaptation, ePALS, was developed to enhance accessibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the digital parenting intervention, ePALS.
- To assess ePALS's impact on caregiver responsiveness in families of VPT toddlers.
- To explore potential long-term behavioral and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial comparing ePALS to an active control group.
- Participants included families of toddlers (15-28 months) born very preterm.
- Assessments included caregiver responsiveness, child executive function (EF) and emotion regulation (ER), EEG, and MRI.
Main Results:
- Preliminary findings from 84 randomized families suggest improved caregiver responsiveness in the ePALS group.
- Intervention adherence rates were monitored.
- Further analysis is ongoing to determine the full impact.
Conclusions:
- The digitally delivered ePALS intervention is feasible and shows preliminary efficacy in enhancing caregiver responsiveness for VPT toddlers.
- Ongoing research will examine the intervention's long-term effects on child development.
Background/Objectives:
Children born very preterm (VPT; <33 weeks gestation) are at increased risk for atypical neurodevelopment and deficits in self-regulation, including executive function (EF) and emotion regulation (ER). Responsive parenting interventions, such as Play and Learning Strategies (PALS), improve caregiver behavior; however, their effects on neurodevelopmental outcomes in VPT populations remain limited. This study describes a randomized controlled trial evaluating a digital adaptation of PALS (ePALS).
Methods:
Families of toddlers aged 15-28 months born very preterm were randomized to either the ePALS intervention or an active control condition. Assessments were conducted at pre-test and post-test to evaluate caregiver responsiveness, child EF and ER, and neural development using behavioral tasks, EEG, and MRI.
Results:
To date, 84 families have been randomized (43 ePALS, 41 control). Preliminary findings indicate that parents in the ePALS condition demonstrate greater improvements in responsiveness compared to the control group. Intervention adherence rates are reported.
Conclusions:
These findings support the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a digitally delivered parenting intervention for improving caregiver responsiveness in families of VPT toddlers. Ongoing analyses will evaluate long-term behavioral and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
