Emotional distress in mothers of preterm hospitalized infants: a feasibility trial of nurse-delivered treatment

Objective:mothers of preterm infants in a hospital neonatal intensive care unit (nicu) are at risk for clinically significant depression and anxiety, but for these women their own treatment is likely a secondary priority. this study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of an evidence-based, nurse-delivered, on-site depression treatment: listening visits (lvs).study design:therapeutic lvs were delivered on site to 23 distressed mothers of nicu infants. the intervention was conducted by a neonatal nurse practitioner and the outcome was examined in an open-trial, pre-post evaluation.result:a part-time nurse practitioner delivered six lvs to each participant within a 1-month time frame. lvs were associated with significantly improved mood and well-being in mothers. the majority of eligible women took advantage of lvs and felt satisfied with their care.conclusion:this open trial provides ‘proof-of-concept’, with results that warrant further evaluation in a multisite randomized controlled trial.