NCT07437131

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if pairing families who have a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with a community doula improves stress. The main questions it aims to answer are: Researchers will compare stress levels among families with a baby in the neonatal intensive care unit who are paired with a community doula compared to those who receive standard care. Participants will: Complete baseline surveys and physical assessments (blood pressure and blood sample collection) and again after six weeks If they are randomized to receive doula support, they will meet with the doula weekly to receive additional parental support for six weeks

Trial Health

65
Monitor

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
60

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
3mo left

Started Feb 2026

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Status
not yet recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress68%
Feb 2026Dec 2026

Study Start

First participant enrolled

February 15, 2026

Completed
5 days until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

February 20, 2026

Completed
7 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

February 27, 2026

Completed
9 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

December 1, 2026

Expected
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 1, 2026

Last Updated

March 3, 2026

Status Verified

February 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

10 months

First QC Date

February 20, 2026

Last Update Submit

February 27, 2026

Conditions

Keywords

NICU, infant in NICUdoula support

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Maternal stress

    Maternal stress as measured by perceived stress scale (PSS): NICU (range: 0-230, higher score indicates worse outcome)

    6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (7)

  • Mean arterial pressure

    6 weeks

  • Diastolic blood pressure

    6 weeks

  • Systolic blood pressure

    6 weeks

  • Anxiety

    6 weeks

  • Depression

    6 weeks

  • +2 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (2)

Standard Care

NO INTERVENTION

Participants will receive usual clinical care with a baby admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Enhanced doula support

EXPERIMENTAL

The doula intervention will be delivered by a dedicated postpartum NICU doula. The postpartum doula will provide one-on-one support at least weekly for a period of six weeks, to intensively engage and support participants, reinforce health behavior education, and screen for and help families to access quality medical care, mental health and social needs support.

Behavioral: Enhanced doula support

Interventions

The doula intervention will be delivered by a dedicated postpartum NICU doula. The postpartum doula will provide one-on-one support at least weekly for a period of six weeks, to intensively engage and support participants, reinforce health behavior education, and screen for and help families to access quality medical care, mental health and social needs support.

Enhanced doula support

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexfemale
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • baby admitted to NICU at Women and Infants Hospital
  • anticipated NICU stay greater than or equal to 2 weeks
  • English or Spanish speaking

You may not qualify if:

  • Infant anticipated stay \< 2 weeks

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Central Study Contacts

Alisse Hauspurg, MD

CONTACT

Sarbattama Sen, MD

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

February 20, 2026

First Posted

February 27, 2026

Study Start

February 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2026

Last Updated

March 3, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02