Emotional distress in mothers of preterm hospitalized infants: a feasibility trial of nurse-delivered treatment.
OBJECTIVE
Mothers of preterm infants in a hospital neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are at risk for clinically significant depression and anxiety, but for these women their own treatment is likely a secondary priority. This study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of an evidence-based, nurse-delivered, on-site depression treatment: listening visits (LVs).


METHODS
Therapeutic LVs were delivered on site to 23 distressed mothers of NICU infants. The intervention was conducted by a neonatal nurse practitioner and the outcome was examined in an open-trial, pre-post evaluation.


RESULTS
A part-time nurse practitioner delivered six LVs to each participant within a 1-month time frame. LVs were associated with significantly improved mood and well-being in mothers. The majority of eligible women took advantage of LVs and felt satisfied with their care.


CONCLUSIONS
This open trial provides 'proof-of-concept', with results that warrant further evaluation in a multisite randomized controlled trial.
College of Nursing, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
L S
LS
Segre
R
R
Chuffo-Siewert
R L
RL
Brock
M W
MW
O'Hara
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000451:nursing*; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000451:nursing*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D055815:Young Adult