Research and Innovation

Many of our mental health care methods have been born out of Stanford Medicine research projects and studies. Below are key Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) research studies that have helped guide our innovative care:

Mental health screening protocol study

In the study "Implementing a standardized screening protocol for parental depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit", our psychiatrist Richard Shaw, MD, and colleagues researched a standardized routine parental mental health screening protocol for the NICU to address the high prevalence of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD among parents of premature and medically fragile infants.

Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy—individual study

The study "Prevention of traumatic stress in mothers of preterms: 6-month outcomes", led by Richard Shaw, MD, found that a brief six-session intervention based on principles of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy was effective at reducing symptoms of trauma, anxiety, and depression in mothers of preterm infants. This is the NICU trauma-focused psychotherapy—cognitive behavioral therapy we offer to parents in our NICU.

The study "Prevention of Traumatic Stress in Mothers With Preterm Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial", led by Richard Shaw, MD, found that a research-based step-by-step intervention for mothers of preterm infants statistically significantly reduced symptoms of trauma and depression. It was a National Institutes of Health funded trial.

Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy—group study

The study "Prevention of posttraumatic stress disorder in mothers of preterm infants using trauma-focused group therapy: Manual development and evaluation" showed a six-session group intervention to be effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression in individuals and couples with a child in the NICU, both in person and by telehealth.