This study will test the therapeutic efficacy of stochastic vibrotactile stimulation (SVS) for reducing withdrawal symptoms, pharmacological treatment and hospitalization, and for improving neurobehavioral developmental outcomes in opioid-exposed newborns.~Candidates at-risk for NAS due opioid exposure in utero will be identified to investigators by medical caregiver and/or prescreened using HIPAA Waiver for recruitment (maternal-prenatal; infant-postnatal). Infants will be randomized into either SVS (complementary to standard of care) or Treatment as Usual (TAU), restricted by equipment (mattress) availability. Infants will be enrolled and assigned to a condition within 48 hours post birth and participate throughout hospitalization. Infants assigned SVS will receive daily intervention of continuous intervals of SVS throughout hospitalization using a specially constructed crib mattress that delivers gentle vibrations at preset intervals.~Specific Aim 1. Determine the efficacy of SVS as a non-pharmacological therapy complementary to standard of care for reducing severity and duration of opioid withdrawal in newborns compared to TAU alone. Quantify clinical variables: NAS severity, treatment days, days in hospital, velocity of weight gain, cumulative morphine dose.~Specific Aim 2. Compare neurobehavioral outcomes in fetal drug-exposed infants between infants who received SVS and those who received TAU. Longitudinal outcomes assessment at 6-months and 1 year to test whether early intervention with SVS compared to standard care improves physical, social, emotional and cognitive development.
The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of a specially-constructed crib mattress that delivers gentle vibrations (stochastic vibrotactile stimulation) as a complementary, non-pharmacological intervention for treating drug withdrawal in newborns exposed to opioids in utero.