This review looked at 87 different articles to see how various programs help parents whose babies are in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The researchers looked at several types of support, including physical and social care, mental health support, and special designs for NICU technology.
The findings show that specific types of support can improve a parent's well-being. These include family-centered care, programs that help parents interact more with their infants, and education about how to care for and develop the baby. These methods were shown to have a positive impact on the overall experience of the parents.
While these results are encouraging, there is still a need for more research. The review noted that there are currently gaps in information regarding specific ways to improve the physical and mental health of these parents. Because this was a scoping review of existing literature, it shows links between these programs and better well-being rather than proving a direct cause.
