Development and Evaluation of an Intelligent Parent-Infant Connection-Based Intervention to Strengthen Family Resilience in Preterm Infant Care

Development, Optimization, and Effectiveness Evaluation of an Intelligent Parent-Infant Connection-Based Family Resilience Intervention: A Longitudinal Study of Parental Psychosocial Health From Hospitalization to Post-Discharge in Preterm Infants

This study aims to develop, optimize, and evaluate the effectiveness of a family resilience intervention centered on intelligent parent-infant connection for parents of preterm infants. Using a longitudinal randomized controlled trial design, it examines the intervention's impact on parental psychosocial health, parenting efficacy, family resilience, and parent-infant interaction from NICU hospitalization to six months post-discharge.

This longitudinal randomized controlled trial evaluates a family resilience intervention centered on intelligent parent-infant connection, designed for parents of preterm infants hospitalized in the NICU. The study recruits approximately 150 dyads of preterm infants' parents over three years at Tri-Service General Hospital, Taiwan. The intervention group receives routine care plus a digitally delivered support program during hospitalization and the first month after discharge, while the control group receives routine clinical care only. The intervention comprises low-burden, accessible modules focusing on parent-infant interaction, caregiving competence, emotional support, and paternal involvement. Data are collected at five time points: baseline (within 1 week of NICU admission), pre-discharge, and one, three, and six months post-discharge. Outcomes include family resilience, parenting efficacy, parent-infant bonding, psychological stress, sleep quality, and biological stress indicators (salivary cortisol). The study aims to establish the intervention's effectiveness in improving the psychosocial well-being of preterm infants' parents and supporting family adaptation across care transitions.

Inclusion Criteria:

• The infant is born prematurely with a gestational age of less than 37 weeks.
• At least one parent of the premature infant is aged 18 years or older and can communicate in Mandarin or Taiwanese.
• The parent(s) have provided informed consent to participate in the study.
• The parent(s) are able to comply with the data collection procedures (participation of both parents is encouraged but not required).

Exclusion Criteria:

• The premature infant has major congenital anomalies or is assessed by clinicians as unlikely to survive.
• The parent(s) are unable to use a smartphone or internet-connected device due to technical, cognitive, or other limitations.
• The parent(s) have a known history of severe psychiatric disorders, intellectual disabilities, or substance abuse, and are assessed by the research team as being unable to comply with the study procedures or intervention requirements.