Sensitivity Training for Mothers With Premature Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective This single-blind parallel design randomized controlled trial evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of a modified version of the Mother-Infant Transaction Program (MITP) in enhancing Chinese mothers' sensitivity towards their premature infants' physiological and social cues. Methods Sixty mothers of hospitalized premature infants (mean gestational age = 32.1 weeks; SD = 2.8) were randomly assigned to either the MITP group or the treatment-as-usual control group. The intervention group (n = 30) received four sessions of parental sensitivity training adapted from the MITP, delivered by clinical psychologists before the infants were discharged. The control group (n = 30) received standard care provided by the hospitals. Each dyad was assessed at baseline (Time 1), immediately after intervention (Time 2), and when the infants were at the gestation-corrected ages of 3, 6, 9, and 12 months (Times 3-6). Maternal sensitivity, mother-infant interaction quality, parenting stress, postpartum depression, and mother's perception of infant's temperament were measured at Times 1-4, whereas infants' weight gain and developmental performance were assessed at Times 3-6. Results The MITP group showed significantly higher maternal sensitivity and better mother-infant interaction quality after completing the training. They also reported less parenting stress and postnatal depression than the control group at Time 2 and subsequent follow-ups. The intervention significantly predicted better weight gain and developmental outcomes in infants across Times 3-6, mediated by maternal wellbeing and interaction quality. Conclusion Our results demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of this adapted sensitivity training among Chinese mothers with premature infants. [ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04383340]