Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 23, 2026

Exploring Infant Sensitivity to Visual Language using Eye Tracking and the Preferential Looking Paradigm
06:07

Exploring Infant Sensitivity to Visual Language using Eye Tracking and the Preferential Looking Paradigm

Published on: May 15, 2019

8.3K

Cognitive outcome of early intervention in preterms at 7 and 9 years of age: a randomised controlled trial

Lisbeth Hauglann1, Bjørn Helge Handegaard2, Stein Erik Ulvund3

  • 1Division of Child and Adolescent Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway.

Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition
|September 25, 2014
PubMed

Insights

An early intervention program for preterm infants did not significantly improve cognitive outcomes at ages 7 and 9. While some verbal scores showed a slight advantage at age 7, overall cognitive development remained similar between groups.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal care and developmental pediatrics.
  • Child psychology and cognitive development.

Background:

  • Children born with low birth weight (<2000g) are at risk for cognitive deficits.
  • Early intervention programs aim to mitigate these risks and improve developmental trajectories.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the long-term cognitive effects of an early intervention program in preterm children.
  • To assess outcomes at 7 and 9 years of age.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 146 preterm infants (<2000g BW).
  • Intervention group received targeted sessions and home visits focusing on infant characteristics and parent-infant interaction.
  • Cognitive outcomes were measured using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III).

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in WISC-III scores were observed at 7 or 9 years between intervention and control groups.
  • A trend favored the intervention group at 7 years (mean difference 4.1 points) and 9 years (mean difference 2.2 points).
  • A significant difference favoring the intervention group was noted in the Verbal Comprehension Index at 7 years (6.8 points).

Conclusions:

  • The tested early intervention program did not demonstrate a sustained significant impact on overall cognitive outcomes for preterm children.
  • While some specific verbal abilities showed short-term benefits, long-term cognitive development was not significantly altered.
Abstract

Keywords:
Child PsychologyNeurodevelopmentOutcomes research

More Related Videos

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

90.5K
Experience is Instrumental in Tuning a Link Between Language and Cognition: Evidence from 6- to 7- Month-Old Infants' Object Categorization05:35

Experience is Instrumental in Tuning a Link Between Language and Cognition: Evidence from 6- to 7- Month-Old Infants' Object Categorization

Published on: April 19, 2017

6.1K

Related Concept Videos

Information Processing Approach01:30

Information Processing Approach

The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is...
881
The Nativist Approach01:21

The Nativist Approach

The nativist approach to infant cognitive development proposes that infants are born with inherent knowledge structures that allow them to interpret the world almost immediately. This perspective contrasts with earlier developmental theories, such as those proposed by Jean Piaget, which emphasized a more gradual acquisition of cognitive abilities through interaction with the environment. One key concept in this approach is object permanence — the understanding that objects continue to...
637
Environmental Influences on Intelligence01:29

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children...
1.2K
Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition01:24

Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition

A revisionist approach to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development has brought new insights that challenge and reinterpret his established ideas. Piaget proposed that the formal operational stage, emerging in adolescence, represents the culmination of cognitive maturity. During this stage, individuals are said to develop abstract thinking, engage in systematic problem-solving, and show a form of egocentrism, believing others are as preoccupied with their behavior as they are...
459
Cognitive Development During Adolescence01:18

Cognitive Development During Adolescence

During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the...
1.0K
Cognitive Development During Adulthood01:30

Cognitive Development During Adulthood

Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
1.4K