title: Effect of cobedding twins on coregulation, infant state, and twin safety.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of cobedding on twin coregulation and twin safety.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial (RCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two university affiliated Level III neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and seventeen sets (N = 234) of stable preterm twins (<37 weeks gestational age at birth) admitted to the NICU.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sets of twins were randomly assigned to be cared for in a single cot (cobedded) or in separate cots (standard care). State response was obtained from videotaped and physiologic data measured and recorded for three, 3-hour sessions over a one-week study period. Tapes were coded for infant state by an assessor blind to the purpose of the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twins who were cobedded spent more time in the same state (p < .01), less time in opposite states (p < .01), were more often in quiet sleep (p < .01) and cried less (p < .01) than twins who were cared for in separate cots. There was no difference in physiological parameters between groups (p = .85). There was no difference in patient safety between groups (incidence of sepsis, p = .95), incidence of caregiver error (p = .31), and incidence of apnea (p = .70).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cobedding promotes self-regulation and sleep and decreases crying without apparent increased risk.
authors.forename: Kathryn M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Hayward
authors.forename: C Celeste
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Marsha L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Campbell-Yeo
authors.forename: Sheri L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: Shauna L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Houk
authors.forename: Robin K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Whyte
authors.forename: Susan D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Kim E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Caddell
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001513:Beds; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology; D017004:Codependency, Psychological; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018730:Infant Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000523:psychology*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D061214:Patient Safety; D012016:Reference Values; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014427:Twins / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: RCT; cobedding; coregulation; infant sleep; multiples; neonatal; preterm; twin