Promoting Sensitive Mother-Infant Interactions in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Development and Design of a Nursing Intervention Using a Theory and Evidence-Based Approach

Main Article Content

Andréane Lavallée
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5702-3084
Marilyn Aita
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6197-8796
José Côté
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0617-2861
Linda Bell
Bénédicte Grou
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3390-5546

Abstract

Introduction: Sensitive mother-infant interactions are important predictors of long-term mother-infant relationship, which is one factor having a positive impact on infant development. Considering preterm infants’ immaturity, mother-infant interactions and maternal sensitivity may not develop optimally. A systematic review showed that current evidence on the effectiveness of parent-infant interventions promoting parental sensitivity in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is of low to very low quality.


Objective: The objective of this paper is to report the development process of a novel nursing intervention, using a theory and evidence-based approach, to enhance maternal sensitivity and preterm infant neurodevelopment in the NICU.


Methods: The Medical Research Council’s guidance to develop and evaluate complex health interventions, that is an evidence and theory-based approach, was used for this study. Thus, based on the MRC framework, three main steps were conducted: 1- Identifying existing empirical evidence; 2- Identifying and developing theory; 3- Modeling processes and outcomes.


Results: We developed a guided participation intervention for mothers to participate in their preterm infant’s care and positioning (‘GP_Posit’). ‘GP_Posit’ is based upon the Attachment theory, the Guided Participation theory as well as the Synactive theory of development.


Conclusion: This novel intervention is being tested in a pilot randomized controlled trial (NCT03677752).

Article Details

How to Cite
Lavallée, A. ., Aita, M., Côté, J., Bell, L., & Grou, B. (2022). Promoting Sensitive Mother-Infant Interactions in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Development and Design of a Nursing Intervention Using a Theory and Evidence-Based Approach. Science of Nursing and Health Practices / Science infirmière Et Pratiques En Santé, 5(1), 48–75. https://doi.org/10.7202/1090530ar
Section
Theoretical discussion and methodology articles

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