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Am J Perinatol 2019; 36(14): 1514-1520
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1678557
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Mindfulness Training among Parents with Preterm Neonates in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Pilot Study

Alyssa Marshall
1   Division of Neonatology, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, Delaware
,
Úrsula Guillén
1   Division of Neonatology, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, Delaware
,
Amy Mackley
1   Division of Neonatology, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, Delaware
,
Wendy Sturtz
1   Division of Neonatology, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, Delaware
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
Further Information

Publication History

09 August 2018

20 December 2018

Publication Date:
31 January 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of a mindfulness-based training session (MBTS) for parents of neonates born at ≤32 weeks' gestation in a level 3 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Study Design Within 14 days of admission, parents completed the Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Questionnaire (PSS:NICU), Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale (CAMS-R), and a survey on stress management techniques. Parents then participated in a MBTS with instruction in mindfulness-based practices and were asked to practice the techniques during the NICU stay. At discharge, parents repeated the surveys to evaluate their mindfulness-based practice experience.

Results Of the 98 parents approached, 51 consented to participate (52%). Of these, 28 completed MBTS, initial, and discharge surveys. One parent had previously practiced mindfulness. The majority of parents (79%) reported that mindfulness practice was helpful, and 71% stated that they would continue their practice after NICU discharge. There was no difference in PSS:NICU or CAMS-R at discharge.

Conclusion An MBTS was feasible to provide to parents in our NICU. Parents practiced the mindfulness-based techniques and reported benefit from their mindfulness-based practice. Future studies are needed to evaluate if an MBTS is a valuable resource for NICU parents' coping.

Keywords

mindfulness - neonate - premature - stress
 

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