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Environmental Enrichment Intervention and Brain Development in Preterm Infants
Sponsor: Eskisehir Osmangazi University
Summary
This study aims to evaluate the effects of a structured environmental enrichment (EE)-based early developmental intervention on brain, motor, and cognitive outcomes in preterm infants. Infants born before 37 weeks of gestation are at increased risk for alterations in structural and functional brain development, which may be further influenced by the neonatal intensive care environment, including exposure to excessive light, noise, and frequent medical procedures. The intervention is a prospectively implemented, home-based developmental program structured according to the HEP (Homeostasis-Enrichment-Plasticity) approach, providing enriched sensory-motor experiences, environmental novelty, problem-solving activities, and opportunities for active exploration. The program is delivered through guided parental involvement with support from trained therapists, according to a predefined protocol. Developmental outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention period using standardized, non-invasive assessment tools. The intervention does not include any pharmacological treatment or medical device. This study evaluates whether participation in an EE-based early developmental intervention leads to improved neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants.
Official title: A Prospective Study Investigating the Effects of an Environmental Enrichment-Based Intervention on Brain Development in Preterm Infants
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
4 Weeks - 7 Weeks
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
28
Start Date
2026-01-15
Completion Date
2026-07-30
Last Updated
2026-01-15
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Standard Developmental Care
Standard developmental care and routine medical follow-up provided within usual clinical practice. This care reflects established developmental support approaches typically offered to preterm infants and does not include structured environmental enrichment or the Homeostasis-Enrichment-Plasticity (HEP)-based intervention applied in the experimental group.
Environmental Enrichment-Based Intervention
Environmental enrichment-based program applied for 12 weeks, including sensory-motor stimulation, environmental novelty, problem-solving tasks, and active exploration with caregivers.
Locations (1)
Tuğçe Altıok Physical Therapy Center
Nilufer, Bursa, Turkey (Türkiye)