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Effects of Oral Stimulation Performed by Parents to Improve Sucking in Neonates Hospitalized in the NICU
Sponsor: Hospital Civil de Guadalajara
Summary
This randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an oral stimulation program to improve sucking in preterm neonates hospitalized in the NICU. The study compares two groups: one receiving the intervention from a physiotherapist and the other from trained parents. The stimulation program includes 4 extraoral and 4 intraoral exercises applied once daily for 14 consecutive days. The primary outcome is improvement in the POFRAS score. Secondary outcomes include the time to exclusive oral feeding, nasogastric tube withdrawal, weight at discharge, hospital stay duration, and parental adherence. This study addresses the potential role of parent participation in neonatal rehabilitation in public hospitals with limited human resources.
Official title: Effects of Oral Stimulation Performed by Parents to Improve Sucking in Neonates Hospitalized in the NICU: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
34 Weeks - 36 Weeks
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
32
Start Date
2025-07-18
Completion Date
2027-02
Last Updated
2026-02-19
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Parental Oral Stimulation Protocol
This intervention consists of a structured oral stimulation protocol composed of 4 extraoral and 4 intraoral exercises designed to improve oral motor function in preterm neonates. Exercises include perioral massage, stimulation of sucking reflex, and non-nutritive sucking using a pacifier. The protocol is administered once daily for 14 consecutive days. In this study arm, the intervention is performed by parents, previously trained and supervised in the neonatal unit.
Physiotherapist-led Oral Stimulation
This intervention consists of a structured oral stimulation protocol composed of 4 extraoral and 4 intraoral exercises designed to improve oral motor function in preterm neonates. Exercises include perioral massage, stimulation of sucking reflex, and non-nutritive sucking using a pacifier. The protocol is administered once daily for 14 consecutive days. In this study arm, the intervention is performed by a licensed physiotherapist.
Locations (1)
Antiguo Hospital Civil Guadalajara Fray Antonio Alcalde
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico