Objective: This study evaluated the effects of circadian-aligned feeding and reciprocal scent intervention on premature infants receiving mechanical ventilation and on postpartum depression levels in their mothers.
Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 75 premature infants and their mothers were assigned to reciprocal scent, circadian feeding, or control groups (n=25 each). Interventions were applied for 21 days. Outcomes included time to weaning from mechanical ventilation, weight gain, hydration status, breast milk production, and maternal Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores.
Who can participate
Age range
1 Year
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria: Preterm neonates born before 37 weeks of gestation
* Intubated neonates requiring mechanical ventilation support
* Within the first 24 hours after birth
* Receiving enteral feeding
* Mothers willing to participate in the study
Exclusion Criteria:
* Congenital anomalies or major malformations
* Genetic syndromes or severe systemic diseases
* Contraindications to breastfeeding (e.g., maternal HIV infection or cytotoxic drug use)
* Inability of mothers to participate in study procedures
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.