Effect of Mindfulness-Based Neurodevelopmental Care on Infant Outcomes in NICU

Neurodevelopmental care leads to improved neonatal outcomes in the intensive care unit (NICU). This study aimed to determine the effect of training mothers regarding mindfulness-based neurodevelopmental care on neonatal outcomes of preterm infants admitted to the NICU. This interventional study was conducted on three groups: I. Mindfulness-Based Neurodevelopmental Care (MBDCG) (n = 34), II. Neurodevelopmental Care (DCG) (n = 39) and III. Control (CG): (n = 50). Sampling was convenient and subjects were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups. The groups were compared in terms of weight gain, length of hospital stay, the continuation of breastfeeding and mother stress, and mother-infant bonding at the time of discharge. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance, Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis test, and covariance test. Weight gain (P = 0.003), the continuation of breastfeeding (P = 0.044), mother stress (P = 0.001), and mother-infant bonding (P = 0.001) were significantly different among the groups. However, the length of stay, transition from tube feeding to oral feeding, and time to start independent oral feeding were not significantly different among the groups. Mother training in mindfulness-based neurodevelopmental care has positive effects on the outcomes in the NICUs. It is suggested that mother training in mindfulness be added to neurodevelopmental care programs.