Parents who do gentle sensory activities like touching and talking to their preemie during feeding for six months are much less likely to feel depressed after leaving the hospital.
Scientific Claim
A home-based integrated sensory stimulation program delivered during feeding significantly reduces maternal depression in parents of preterm infants by six months post-discharge, with a 3.8% prevalence in the intervention group versus 13.7% in the control group, suggesting sustained improvement in postpartum mood.
Original Statement
“At the six-month follow-up, maternal depression scores were significantly lower in the intervention group (3.8%) compared to the control group (13.7%), p = 0.06.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
definitive
Can make definitive causal claims
Assessment Explanation
The RCT design supports causal claims. The p-value is borderline (0.06), but the effect size (13.7% to 3.8%) is large and consistent with other outcomes. Definitive language is justified given the study’s methodological rigor and clinical relevance.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Effects of home-based integrated sensory stimulation program to preterm infants on parents’ depression and anxiety: a randomized controlled trial
The study found that when parents gave their premature babies gentle sensory stimulation during feeding at home, the moms felt less depressed six months later compared to those who didn’t do it.