Postpartum Affect and Infant-Mother Regulation (PAIR) research study
The PAIR study at the University of Pittsburgh aims to understand how mothers and their babies respond to one another and how that is related to postpartum mood.
Fast Facts
Experiencing Postpartum Depression
Women Ages 18+
Compensation Provided
Conducted in Pittsburgh, PA
Study Background
This research study investigates the relationship between a mother’s and an infant’s brain and behavior during the first year of life. Specifically, we aim to learn more about the neural activity underlying mother-infant interactions.
The study uses a noninvasive form of neuroimaging called near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), which involves using NIRS caps with fiber optic cables to measure light signals at the scalp. The study involves 3 home visits when your baby is 3, 6, and 9 months old.
During each visit, you will be asked to play with your baby while both of you wear the NIRS cap. This cap, similar to a swim cap, measures brain response during face-to-face interactions using light signals. The light produced by the caps is painless, safe, and regulated by the FDA.
Study Background
This research study investigates the relationship between a mother’s and an infant’s brain and behavior during the first year of life. Specifically, we aim to learn more about the neural activity underlying mother-infant interactions.
The study uses a noninvasive form of neuroimaging called near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), which involves using NIRS caps with fiber optic cables to measure light signals at the scalp. The study involves 3 home visits when your baby is 3, 6, and 9 months old.
During each visit, you will be asked to play with your baby while both of you wear the NIRS cap. This cap, similar to a swim cap, measures brain response during face-to-face interactions using light signals. The light produced by the caps is painless, safe, and regulated by the FDA.
Additional Information
The purpose of this research study is to understand how mothers and their babies respond to one another and how that is related to postpartum mood.
You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Key Criteria:
- Women ages 18+
- Experiencing postpartum depression
- Have given birth in the last 5 months
- Is the biological mother of an infant
This study involves in-person visits conduct in the participant’s homes:
- The first home visit occurs when the baby is about 3 months old and will take about 2.5 hours.
- During this visit, we will ask about mood and psychiatric history, and then mom and baby will play together.
- During the play, mom and baby will wear caps, like swim caps, that have fiber optic cables to measure light signals at the scalp.
- Participants will be filmed while they play and talk so we can code emotions and behaviors later.
- When the baby is about 6 and 9 months old, we will return to their home for shorter visits of approximately 1.5 hours.
- These visits will be fairly similar to the first one, with an interview and filmed mother-baby play while wearing the caps.
Aa a participant, you can receive compensation up to $595.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.
