title: Electroencephalographic activity of preterm infants is increased by Family Nurture Intervention: a randomized controlled trial in the NICU.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the impact of Family Nurture Intervention (FNI) on electroencephalogram (EEG) activity in preterm infants (26-34 weeks gestation).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two groups were tested in a single, level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU; standard care or standard care plus FNI) using a randomized controlled trial design. The intervention consists of sessions designed to achieve mutual calm and promote communication of affect between infants and their mothers throughout the NICU stay. EEG recordings were obtained from 134 infants during sleep at ∼35 and ∼40 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Regional brain activity (power) was computed for 10 frequency bands between 1 and 48 Hz in each of 125 electrodes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Near to term age, compared to standard care infants, FNI infants showed robust increases in EEG power in the frontal polar region at frequencies 10 to 48 Hz (20% to 36% with p-values <0.0004). Effects were significant in both quiet and active sleep, regardless of gender, singleton-twin status, gestational age (26-30 or 30-35 weeks) or birth weight (<1500 or >1500 g).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FNI leads to increased frontal brain activity during sleep, which other investigators find predictive of better neurobehavioral outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FNI may be a practicable means of improving outcomes in preterm infants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA. Electronic address: mgw13@columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Martha G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Welch
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Michael M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
authors.forename: Philip G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Grieve
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Isler
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: William P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Fifer
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sahni
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Myron A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hofer
authors.affiliation: Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Ludwig
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Raymond I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Stark
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Brain maturation; EEG; Maternal separation; Mother–infant intervention; Premature birth