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Preterm infants undergo early separation from parents and are exposed to frequent painful clinical procedures, with resultant short- and long-term effects on their neurodevelopment. We aimed to establish whether the mother’s voice could provide an effective and safe analgesia for preterm infants and whether endogenous oxytocin (OXT) could be linked to pain modulation. Twenty preterm infants were exposed to three conditions—mother’s live voice (speaking or singing) and standard care—in random order during a painful procedure. OXT levels (pg/mL) in saliva and plasma cortisol levels were quantified, and the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) was blindly coded by trained psychologists. During the mother’s live voice, PIPP scores significantly decreased, with a concomitant increase in OXT levels over baseline. The effect on pain perception was marginally significant for singing. No effects on cortisol levels were found. The mother’s live voice modulated preterm infants’ pain indicators. Endogenous OXT released during vocal contact is a promising protective mechanism during early painful interventions in at-risk populations.

Objectives: Persons with multiple disabilities may frequently fail to achieve independent leisure engagement and communication with distant partners. The aim of this study was to extend the assessment of a technology-aided program providing support in the aforementioned areas with nine participants with multiple disabilities.Methods: The program involved a computer system presenting leisure and communication options and a microswitch allowing the participants to choose among and access those options. For each participant a specific array of options was available (e.g. songs, comedy videos, and text messages), depending on his or her characteristics and interests. The effects of the program were assessed via an ABAB design. Participants and staff’s opinions about the program were determined through preference checks and interviews.Results: During baseline (without the program), the participants failed to activate/access the options available and thus had no independent option-related engagement time. Durin...

Persons with multiple (intellectual and sensory-motor) disabilities can have serious difficulties managing their independent engagement in leisure activities and communication, particularly with partners not present in their immediate environment.This study assessed two versions of a technology-aided program (involving a computer system to present leisure and communication options and a microswitch to choose among them) with four participants with multiple disabilities. Two participants used the first version of the program, which allowed them to choose among leisure (music) options. The other two participants used the second version of the program, which allowed them to choose among leisure (music and videos) and communication (telephone calls) options. Each program version was implemented according to a non-concurrent multiple baseline design across participants.Data showed that both program versions were successful in helping the participants achieve the objectives pursued, that is, choose and access leisure or leisure and communication options independently.Technology-aided programs can enable persons with multiple disabilities to manage positive occupational engagement and communication.