Feasibility of Implementing a Modified SENSE Program to Increase Positive Sensory Experiences for Preterm Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): A Pilot Study

Abstract

Aims

To evaluate the feasibility of implementing the Supporting and Enhancing NICU Sensory Experiences (SENSE) program with adaptations to increase positive sensory exposure for infants born preterm, support neonatal neurodevelopment, and decrease parent stress.

Methods

Eight infants born between 28 and 33 weeks were recruited within one week of birth. Parents, trained in the program, delivered the SENSE protocol. The first author provided up to 1 h of sensory input on weekdays when a parent could not be present.

Results

Recruitment and retention rates were 87.5% and 100%, respectively. Recruitment and initial parent education and training averaged 37.5 min. On average, parents were present in the NICU 85.1% of days; they participated in SENSE for an average of 515.5 min. SENSE dose recommendations were not consistently met. Weekly infant assessments and regular parent check ins averaged 22.5 and 13.8 min, respectively. Post-assessments revealed normal scores on a neurodevelopmental assessment, low parent stress, and high parent satisfaction.

Conclusions

The recruitment and retention rates suggest high demand to participate. Outcomes for parent stress and neonatal neurodevelopment support continuation of SENSE. Time commitment for implementation, coupled with supporting families in meeting dose recommendations, suggest a need for a neonatal therapist to promote sustainability.

Keywords:

• Preterm infant
• neurodevelopment
• sensory
• neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
• preterm birth

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all families for their participation in the study during their NICU journey.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Duquesne University Center for Community Engaged Teaching and Research under the Pathways Grant.

Notes on contributors

Kate N. de Castro

Kate N. de Castro graduated from Duquesne University in December 2021 with her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD). She designed and implemented this project with mentorship from Duquesne University faculty and collaboration with a level III NICU in Pittsburgh, PA. She has since begun a position as an acute care Occupational Therapist concentrated in the level III NICU at Atrium Health Floyd in Rome, GA.

Jeryl D. Benson

Jeryl D. Benson is an associate Professor of Occupational Therapy at Duquesne University. Her research focus is sensory processing and occupational participation of children.

Hillary Thomas

Hillary Thomas is a Developmental Specialist with 15 years of experience with infants and toddlers and 6 years of experience in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She completed her graduate degree in Child Development at the Erikson Institute. She has always had a passion for working with premature and medically complex infants. She strives to provide the best environment for infants and supporting parents in developing confidence in caring for their infants.

Vinit Manuel

Vinit Manuel is a Neonatologist with more than 12 years of experience. He completed his fellowship training in Neonatal-Perinatal medicine from University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. In Phoenix, he was the medical director of a level-III tertiary care NICU with ECMO exposure. He moved from Phoenix to West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh in November 2020. He enjoys working with premature babies with the goal of providing them with the best possible care.

Sanjay Mitra

Sanjay Mitra is the Chief of the Neonatal Division of the Department of Pediatrics at Allegheny Health Network. He completed his fellowship in Neonatology from Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and then worked as an Assistant Professor in the Neonatology Division of the Department of Pediatrics at West Virginia University. He served as Associate Director for Pediatric Residency and Director of Neonatal Transport at West Virginia University. In 2016, he joined West Penn Hospital. He has been involved in quality improvement initiatives at both sites. He leads the neonatal nutrition and chronic lung disease task forces of West Virginia University and West Penn Hospital. His area of interest is neonatal nutrition with emphasis on decreasing extrauterine growth restriction in very low birth weight infants. To improve safety, he serves on the advisory board of the Simulation Center of Allegheny Health Network. He facilitates In-Situ mock scenarios on a weekly basis in the NICU through a high-fidelity mannequin. Since nutrition, development and family engagement are the keys to improving long term outcomes of very low birth weight infants, he thinks this research will be helpful in implementing the SENSE program on a broader scale and as an integral part of NICU care.