| Title: |
EEG Hyperscanning Is a Feasible Measure of Dyadic Synchrony between Hospitalized Preterm Infants and Their Caregivers |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Mary Lauren Neel; Caitlin Kjeldsen (ORCID 0000-0002-1919-5819); Arnaud Jeanvoine; Nathalie L. Maitre; Alexandra P. Key (ORCID 0000-0002-2669-8334) |
| Source: |
Mind, Brain, and Education. 2026 20(1). |
| Availability: |
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
8 |
| Publication Date: |
2026 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: |
Brain; Cognitive Processes; Hospitalized Children; Premature Infants; Child Caregivers; Parent Child Relationship; Cues; Neonates; Measurement Techniques |
| DOI: |
10.1111/mbe.70032 |
| ISSN: |
1751-2271; 1751-228X |
| Abstract: |
Optimal parent-child interactions are characterized by interpersonal synchrony (reading/responding to each other's cues). Parent-infant EEG hyperscanning measures neural synchrony; however, this has not been examined in hospitalized preterm infants. Our pilot prospective observational cohort study included nine mother-infant dyads in the neonatal intensive care unit between 32 and 36 weeks corrected age. Each dyad completed parenting questionnaires and EEG recordings containing three conditions: (1) baseline, (2) mindful breathing, (3) telling the baby a meaningful story using infant-directed speech. Circular correlation coefficient (CCorr) quantified mother-infant neural synchrony. Three time periods of neural synchrony between baseline and story-telling conditions were found. No significant differences were observed between baseline and mindful breathing. This study provides the first evidence that periods of neural synchrony are present during real-time interaction between mother and hospitalized preterm infant. Furthermore, greater neural synchrony was associated with higher parental attunement, measured with the validated Baby Care Questionnaire. This study establishes EEG hyperscanning as a feasible method to measure dyadic synchrony between preterm infants and their caregivers and highlights possible opportunities for interventions to promote interpersonal engagement in hospitalized preterm infants. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1498551 |
| Database: |
ERIC |