The effect of kangaroo mother care on aEEG activity and neurobehavior in preterm infants: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of kangaroo mother care (KMC) versus traditional care (TC) on aEEG activity and neurobehavior in preterm infants. Methods A prospective randomized control single-blinded trial conducted in a tertiary level neonatal intensive care unit between October 2019 and October 2020. Preterm infants with gestational age of 31–33 weeks were randomly divided into either a KMC group or a TC group. Outcomes were compared between the groups including aEEG scores, the percentage of mature sleep–wake cycling (SWC) and background activity continuity, narrowband upper and lower bound amplitude, narrowband bandwidth, and neonatal behavioral neurological assessment (NBNA) scores on day 1, day 7, and day 14 after randomization. Results A total of 65 infants (32 in KMC group and 33 in TC group) completed protocol. No significant differences were observed in outcomes on day 1. aEEG scores (p = .027 and p = .007, respectively) and the percentage of mature SWC (p = .034 and p = .039, respectively) were significantly higher in KMC group on day 7 and day 14. Compared to the TC group, KMC group had a narrower bandwidth on day 7 (p = .003) and day 14 (p = .016) and higher lower bound amplitude on day 14 (p = .002). Upper bound amplitude and the percentage of continuity were comparable between the groups on day 7 and day 14. The NBNA scores in the KMC group were significantly higher than that of the TC group on day 7 (p < .001) and day 14 (p < .001). Conclusions Preterm infants submitted to the KMC, compared to those non-submitted, have more mature aEEG activity and better neurobehavior performance on day 7 and day 14 after random. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1900026363.