CoolCuddle2 Study:Embedding CoolCuddle into NICUs
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Process evaluation of embedding the CoolCuddle intervention into neonatal intensive care units.
IRAS ID
312535
Contact name
Ela Chakkarapani
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospitals Bristol & Weston NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 1 days
Research summary
Each year in the NHS, over 2000 babies with brain injury at birth need intensive care and cooling therapy for 4 days. During this time, parents cannot hold their babies in case it interferes with the cooling therapy. Not allowing cuddling during this important period can affect the bond between the parents and their baby. This can cause problems with breastfeeding, parent’s mental health and the baby’s emotional and mental development.
We have developed a safe way for parents to cuddle their babies during cooling therapy (CoolCuddle), which allows cooling treatment and intensive care to continue. CoolCuddle can help with breastfeeding, parent-baby bonding, parent mental health and may have other long-term benefits.
We aim to find the best way to train and involve staff in using the CoolCuddle method in different intensive care units (NICUs) for newborn babies, by closely monitoring how it is introduced. We use a CoolCuddle standard procedure and a safety checklist, and have made a training video for staff, and photos of how it works for parents.
We will train staff at 4 different intensive care units for newborn babies. Staff at each unit will be interviewed every two months to see how well CoolCuddle is being used. Parents will be asked to complete an online questionnaire, measuring depression, parent-baby bonding and breastfeeding when the baby is 1 and 8 weeks old. Some parents will be interviewed to get their views on CoolCuddle. We will monitor the baby during the cuddles and record any effect on cooling or intensive care and how this is corrected.
We will look at differences over time and between units to work out best practice.
We have discussed the study design with our parent advisory group.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/NW/0141
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jun 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion