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Sensorimotor interventions improve growth and motor function in preterm infants
1School of Physical & Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. sandra.fucile@mail.mcgill.ca
Insights
Both oral stimulation and tactile/kinesthetic stimulation improved preterm infants' weight gain and motor function. The combined intervention showed benefits, but not additive effects, highlighting the importance of sensorimotor input duration.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Development
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Infant Health
Background:
- Preterm infants often experience developmental challenges.
- Sensorimotor interventions can support infant development.
- Optimizing growth and motor function in preterm infants is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of oral stimulation (O+O) and tactile/kinesthetic stimulation (T/K+T/K) on preterm infant weight gain and motor function.
- To assess the effects of a combined oral and tactile/kinesthetic intervention (O+T/K).
- To determine if the combined intervention yields additive or synergistic effects compared to single interventions.
Main Methods:
- Seventy-five preterm infants were randomized into four groups: O+O, T/K+T/K, O+T/K, and a control group.
- Interventions involved 15 minutes of stimulation, twice daily, for ten days.
- Outcomes measured included weight gain and motor function.
Main Results:
- Both O+O and T/K+T/K interventions resulted in significantly greater weight gain compared to controls.
- The T/K+T/K and O+T/K groups demonstrated improved motor function relative to the control group.
- No additive or synergistic effects were observed for the combined O+T/K intervention.
Conclusions:
- Single oral and tactile/kinesthetic interventions effectively enhance growth and motor function in preterm infants.
- The combined intervention improved outcomes but did not show additive benefits, suggesting duration is key.
- The duration of sensorimotor input is as critical as the type of stimulation for achieving developmental outcomes.
Purpose:
To assess the effect of an oral (O+O), a tactile/kinesthetic (T/K+T/K), and a combined (O+T/K) intervention on preterm infants' weight gain and motor function and to determine whether the combined O+T/K intervention has an additive/synergistic effect on outcomes.
Design/Sample:
Seventy-five preterm infants were randomized into an O+O intervention consisting of oral stimulation, a T/K+T/K intervention involving whole body stimulation, an O+T/K intervention, and a control group. Interventions were administered for 15 minutes, twice a day, for ten days.
Outcomes:
Weight gain, motor function.
Results:
The O+O and T/K+T/K groups had greater weight gain during the intervention period than did controls (p ≤.025). The T/K+T/K and O+T/K groups had better motor function than did controls (p ≤.017).
Conclusion:
Single and combined interventions improved growth and motor function. The combined intervention, because of the shorter duration of each modality, did not lead to additive/synergistic effects, suggesting that the duration of the sensorimotor input is as important as its target in achieving defined outcomes.
