Talking therapy for NICU parents may boost premature babies' futures
NCT ID NCT03906435
First seen Jul 09, 2026 · Last updated Jul 10, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for parents of very premature infants in the NICU can reduce feelings of child vulnerability and improve the child's development. Parents in the intervention group receive five CBT sessions during and after the NICU stay. The trial measures changes in parent perceptions and child outcomes over time.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this approach could provide a simple, non-drug way to support parents and potentially improve developmental outcomes for premature infants.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study. The therapy may not significantly change parent perceptions or child development, and results may not apply to all families.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
About 100 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
Apr 2019
- Expected to finish
-
Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
Children (under 18), adults (18 to 64) and older adults (65 and over)
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Born at Parkland Hospital * English or Spanish speaking mother +/- father * ≤ 30.6 weeks gestation at birth * Survival to 33 weeks gestation Exclusion Criteria: * Significant congenital anomalies * Child Protective Services (CPS) involvement or foster care placement -- Prior enrollment in this PreVNT study for an older sibling.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Development, child are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Parkland Health & Hospital System
RECRUITINGDallas, Texas, 75235, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Could free diapers and toys boost breastfeeding rates?
- A $75 nudge: can social transfers boost exclusive breastfeeding?
- Can early feeding shape a premature Baby's brain and body?
- Healing hearts: can therapy repair trauma in foster kids?
- Short parenting lessons may ease children's distress while waiting for trauma therapy
- Money talks: Clinic-Based financial coaching may improve health and child development