Reach Out and Read (ROR) in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Study

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about the effects of the Reach Out and Read program on infants and their families in the neonatal ICU. The main goals of this study are: To complete a needs assessment for literacy interventions in the NICU population through evaluating baseline home literacy scores. To evaluate the effects of the ROR intervention on parental stress levels as assessed by the 6-question State-Trait Anxiety Index (STAI-6) To evaluate the effects of the ROR intervention on parent-infant bonding by comparing scores on the 25-item Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ) To evaluate the effects of the ROR intervention on the home literacy environment by comparing home literacy scores Participants will complete three questionnaires that include demographic information, home literacy scores, the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Index; once at study enrollment, once at 36 weeks corrected gestational age, and once at 3 months corrected gestational age. Researchers will compare the control group (standard care) and a group that receives Reach Out and Read education to see whether exposure to Reach Out and Read affects literacy behaviors, parental anxiety, and parent-infant bonding.

Official Title
-----------------
The Effect of Reach Out and Read on Home Literacy Scores, Parental Stress, and Parent-Infant Bonding in the Neonatal ICU

Conditions
-----------------
Anxiety, Parent-Child Relations, Literacy

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Behavioral: Reach Out and Read


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Families of subjects born between 24w0d and 33w6d gestation Primary language is English or Spanish Exclusion Criteria: Severe clinical instability such that the principal investigators do not think the infant will survive to 36 weeks gestation

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Maximum Age: 14 Days

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
No

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Reach Out and Read<br>Families assigned to this group will receive Reach Out and Read education every two weeks between enrollment and when their infant reaches 36 weeks gestation. | Behavioral: Reach Out and Read<br>* Families will be provided with a book and ROR programming from trained study team members (either the principal investigator or a research assistant, both of whom are ROR trained). ROR programming will include discussion of current reading practices, anticipatory guidance on the importance and benefits of reading, modeling of active reading, discussion of how to incorporate reading into a daily routine and answering any questions parents/caregivers may have.<br>|
| No Intervention: Control<br>Standard neonatal care | |

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| To evaluate the effects of the ROR intervention on the home literacy environment by comparing home literacy scores |  | Between enrollment and 3 months corrected gestational age for infant | 
| To evaluate the effects of the ROR intervention on parental stress levels as assessed by the 6-question State-Trait Anxiety Index (STAI-6) |  | Between enrollment and 3 months corrected gestational age for infant | 
| To evaluate the effects of the ROR intervention on parent-infant bonding by comparing scores on the 25-item Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ) |  | Between enrollment and 3 months corrected gestational age for infant | 
| To complete a needs assessment for literacy interventions in the NICU population through evaluating baseline home literacy scores. |  | At enrollment |