A Parent's voice may soothe NICU babies, and a trial puts it to the test
NCT ID NCT07789145
First seen Aug 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 28, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether caregivers reading to their infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can steady the baby's heart rate, breathing, and oxygen levels. Researchers will compare these measures in infants whose caregivers read to them against a control group. They will also check whether the reading routine lowers postpartum depression scores in mothers. The study includes 120 infants who have been in the NICU for more than three days, with a caregiver who can read English.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- A caregiver-initiated reading intervention, where caregivers read to their infant in the NICU for at least 2 minutes, three times or more, with guidance and logging.
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple, low-cost way to support NICU infants' stability and ease postpartum depression in mothers.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early trial, and the benefits may not be clear or lasting. Reading may not change infant vital signs or maternal mood, 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
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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
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About 120 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Sep 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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Children (under 18), adults (18 to 64) and older adults (65 and over)
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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: 1. the infant must have a NICU LOS \> 3 days; 2. a dedicated caregiver, such as parent, relative, friend of the family, grandparent are present in NICU; 3. the primary caregiver can read and speak in English. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Infants with a confirmed diagnosis of hearing loss will be excluded from the study, as the intervention is based on auditory stimulation through shared reading; 2. the caregiver has cognitive impairments or under legal guardianship; 3. the caregiver is unable to speak; 4. the infant is under foster care at the time of enrollment.
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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.
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The official record
The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.
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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.
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.