Effect of QR Code-Supported Infant Care Education on Maternal Self-Confidence, Maternal Attachment, and Infant Health in the NICU

NCT07763041 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: AYBU-PhD-QRNICU-2026
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 84
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of Meleis' Transitions Theory-based Quick Response (QR) code-supported infant care education on maternal self-confidence, maternal attachment, and infant health among primiparous mothers whose infants are hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group using block randomization. Mothers in the intervention group received face-to-face infant care education before discharge, a printed infant care guide containing QR codes linked to educational videos, and instructions on how to use a mobile application. Mothers in the control group received routine care and discharge education provided by the NICU. Maternal self-confidence, maternal attachment, and infant health outcomes were assessed before discharge and at one and three months after discharge. This study is expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of QR code-supported infant care education in improving maternal adaptation and infant health outcomes following NICU discharge.

Conditions

QR Code-Supported Infant Care Education

Keywords

Maternal self-confidence; infant care education; maternal attachment; Meleis' Transition Theory; neonatal intensive care unit

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Maternal Self-Confidence

  Maternal self-confidence was assessed using the Pharis Self-Confidence Scale. The scale consists of 13 items, with total scores ranging from 13 to 65. Higher scores indicate higher levels of maternal self-confidence.

  Baseline (approximately 1 week before discharge and prior to the intervention), 1 month after discharge, and 3 months after discharge

• Maternal Attachment

  Maternal attachment was assessed using the Maternal Attachment Scale. The scale consists of 26 items, with total scores ranging from 26 to 104. Higher scores indicate higher levels of maternal attachment.

  Baseline (approximately 1 week before discharge and prior to the intervention), 1 month after discharge, and 3 months after discharge

• Infant Health

  Infant health assessed using the Infant Health Assessment Form, including physical growth (weight, length, and head circumference), breastfeeding, urination and stool frequency, non-breastmilk feeding, common infant health problems (gas, fever, vomiting, oral thrush, diaper rash, nasal congestion), and hospital visits

  Baseline (approximately 1 week before discharge and prior to the intervention), 1 month after discharge, and 3 months after discharge

Study Arms (2)

QR Code-Supported Infant Care Education

EXPERIMENTAL

Mothers received face-to-face infant care education based on Meleis' Transitions Theory before discharge, together with a printed infant care guide containing QR codes linked to educational videos and instructions for using the mobile application developed for the study. Routine neonatal intensive care unit care was also provided.

Behavioral: QR Code-Supported Infant Care Education

Routine Care

NO INTERVENTION

Mothers received routine neonatal intensive care unit care, discharge education, and follow-up services without any additional structured infant care education.

Interventions

QR Code-Supported Infant Care Education BEHAVIORAL

Face-to-face infant care education based on Meleis' Transitions Theory, supported by a printed infant care guide containing QR codes linked to educational videos and a mobile application developed for the study.

QR Code-Supported Infant Care Education

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Primiparous mothers with a singleton birth,
• Aged 18 years or older,
• Able to read and communicate in Turkish,
• Owning a smartphone with internet access and having sufficient digital literacy to use QR code applications,
• No diagnosed psychiatric disorder,
• Mothers whose infants had been hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit for at least one month,
• Willing to participate and providing written informed consent,
• Infants with a gestational age of ≥34 weeks,
• Infants without life-threatening congenital, neurological, gastrointestinal, or genetic disorders requiring surgical intervention or expected to affect long-term prognosis.

You may not qualify if:

• Mothers who did not continue in the post-discharge follow-up period,
• Participants whose mother or infant died (exitus) during the study period.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ankara Medipol University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Lokman Hekim University Ankara Hospital

Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Officials

• Aslınur T GÜZELYAZICI

  Ankara Medipol University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 3, 2026
• First Posted: August 13, 2026
• Study Start: June 2, 2025
• Primary Completion: February 26, 2026
• Study Completion: February 26, 2026
• Last Updated: August 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)