Effects of home-based integrated sensory stimulation program to preterm infants on parents’ depression and anxiety: a randomized controlled trial

Background Preterm parents face higher risks of postpartum depression and anxiety, affecting bonding and infant development. Sensory stimulation shows promise, but its long-term impact on parental mental health needs further study. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate whether a home-based integra...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Wenjing Zheng, Rassamee Chotipanvithayakul, Thammasin Ingviya, Fang Guo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Global Health Action
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2025.2491848
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849312842534092800
author Wenjing Zheng
Rassamee Chotipanvithayakul
Thammasin Ingviya
Fang Guo
author_facet Wenjing Zheng
Rassamee Chotipanvithayakul
Thammasin Ingviya
Fang Guo
author_sort Wenjing Zheng
collection DOAJ
description Background Preterm parents face higher risks of postpartum depression and anxiety, affecting bonding and infant development. Sensory stimulation shows promise, but its long-term impact on parental mental health needs further study. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate whether a home-based integrated sensory stimulation program, administered to preterm infants by their parents, could alleviate parental mental health issues and enhance maternal bonding and parenting competence. Methods The program, including tactile, auditory, visual, gustatory, and olfactory stimuli, was assessed in a block-randomized controlled trial from November 2018 to January 2020. A total of 200 parents of preterm infants were recruited, and the intervention continued at home until the infants reached six months corrected age. Parents’ depression and anxiety were assessed using validated scales at baseline, and at first, third, and sixth month follow-ups. Results The intervention group included 98 parents, and the control group comprised 102 parents. At the six-month follow-up, the intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in maternal depression, state anxiety, and trait anxiety compared to the control group. In the mixed linear model, the intervention was associated with reductions in maternal trait anxiety (d =-2.18; 95% CI: −4.30, −0.06), paternal trait anxiety (d =-3.37; 95% CI: −5.62, −1.11) and state anxiety (d =-4.63; 95% CI: −7.00, −2.26). Conclusion The home-based integrated sensory stimulation program, when provided by parents to preterm infants, was effective in improving parents’ mental health and can serve as an alternative treatment for postpartum depression and anxiety in parents of preterm infants at home.
format Article
id doaj-art-7632cdaa9d024db3a43abcf49190b284
institution Kabale University
issn 1654-9880
language English
publishDate 2025-12-01
publisher Taylor & Francis Group
record_format Article
series Global Health Action
spelling doaj-art-7632cdaa9d024db3a43abcf49190b2842025-08-20T03:52:57ZengTaylor & Francis GroupGlobal Health Action1654-98802025-12-0118110.1080/16549716.2025.24918482491848Effects of home-based integrated sensory stimulation program to preterm infants on parents’ depression and anxiety: a randomized controlled trialWenjing Zheng0Rassamee Chotipanvithayakul1Thammasin Ingviya2Fang Guo3The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical UniversityPrince of Songkla UniversityPrince of Songkla UniversityAffiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology Clinical CollegeBackground Preterm parents face higher risks of postpartum depression and anxiety, affecting bonding and infant development. Sensory stimulation shows promise, but its long-term impact on parental mental health needs further study. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate whether a home-based integrated sensory stimulation program, administered to preterm infants by their parents, could alleviate parental mental health issues and enhance maternal bonding and parenting competence. Methods The program, including tactile, auditory, visual, gustatory, and olfactory stimuli, was assessed in a block-randomized controlled trial from November 2018 to January 2020. A total of 200 parents of preterm infants were recruited, and the intervention continued at home until the infants reached six months corrected age. Parents’ depression and anxiety were assessed using validated scales at baseline, and at first, third, and sixth month follow-ups. Results The intervention group included 98 parents, and the control group comprised 102 parents. At the six-month follow-up, the intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in maternal depression, state anxiety, and trait anxiety compared to the control group. In the mixed linear model, the intervention was associated with reductions in maternal trait anxiety (d =-2.18; 95% CI: −4.30, −0.06), paternal trait anxiety (d =-3.37; 95% CI: −5.62, −1.11) and state anxiety (d =-4.63; 95% CI: −7.00, −2.26). Conclusion The home-based integrated sensory stimulation program, when provided by parents to preterm infants, was effective in improving parents’ mental health and can serve as an alternative treatment for postpartum depression and anxiety in parents of preterm infants at home.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2025.2491848multisensory stimulationpostpartum depression and anxietyprimary caregiverspremature babyrandomized clinical trial
spellingShingle Wenjing Zheng
Rassamee Chotipanvithayakul
Thammasin Ingviya
Fang Guo
Effects of home-based integrated sensory stimulation program to preterm infants on parents’ depression and anxiety: a randomized controlled trial
Global Health Action
multisensory stimulation
postpartum depression and anxiety
primary caregivers
premature baby
randomized clinical trial
title Effects of home-based integrated sensory stimulation program to preterm infants on parents’ depression and anxiety: a randomized controlled trial
title_full Effects of home-based integrated sensory stimulation program to preterm infants on parents’ depression and anxiety: a randomized controlled trial
title_fullStr Effects of home-based integrated sensory stimulation program to preterm infants on parents’ depression and anxiety: a randomized controlled trial
title_full_unstemmed Effects of home-based integrated sensory stimulation program to preterm infants on parents’ depression and anxiety: a randomized controlled trial
title_short Effects of home-based integrated sensory stimulation program to preterm infants on parents’ depression and anxiety: a randomized controlled trial
title_sort effects of home based integrated sensory stimulation program to preterm infants on parents depression and anxiety a randomized controlled trial
topic multisensory stimulation
postpartum depression and anxiety
primary caregivers
premature baby
randomized clinical trial
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2025.2491848
work_keys_str_mv AT wenjingzheng effectsofhomebasedintegratedsensorystimulationprogramtopreterminfantsonparentsdepressionandanxietyarandomizedcontrolledtrial
AT rassameechotipanvithayakul effectsofhomebasedintegratedsensorystimulationprogramtopreterminfantsonparentsdepressionandanxietyarandomizedcontrolledtrial
AT thammasiningviya effectsofhomebasedintegratedsensorystimulationprogramtopreterminfantsonparentsdepressionandanxietyarandomizedcontrolledtrial
AT fangguo effectsofhomebasedintegratedsensorystimulationprogramtopreterminfantsonparentsdepressionandanxietyarandomizedcontrolledtrial