Can daily sensory activities boost preterm baby brain development?
NCT ID NCT05230199
First seen Jun 17, 2026 · Last updated Jun 22, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests a structured program called SENSE, where parents provide daily multisensory activities like massage, rocking, and skin-to-skin care for their preterm babies in the NICU. The goal is to see if this consistent approach improves infant brain development, language skills, and parent-child bonding up to age 2. About 215 infants born at or before 32 weeks will take part, with half receiving the SENSE program and half getting standard care.
Disclaimer
Read more
Show less
This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for PARENT-CHILD RELATIONS are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Study contacts
-
Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
-
Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
-
Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital
RECRUITINGSt Louis, Missouri, 63104, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
SENSE multisensory program (behavioral intervention involving massage, auditory exposure, rocking, holding, and skin-to-skin care)
What this could lead to
If successful, this could provide a clear, evidence-based guide for parents and hospitals to support preterm infant brain development and parent well-being.
What could go wrong
This is an early-stage study with 215 participants, so results may not apply to all preterm infants. The program requires consistent parent involvement, which may be challenging for some families.
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.