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Updated: Nov 4, 2025
Non-Invasive Modulation and Robotic Mapping of Motor Cortex in the Developing Brain
Published on: July 1, 2019
[Effect of oral motor intervention in improving brain function development in preterm infants: a randomized
Rong Zhang1, Yu Chen1, Lian-Yu Zhang1
1Department of Neonatology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China.
Insights
Oral motor intervention (OMI) significantly enhances brain function development in preterm infants. This intervention promotes maturation of EEG patterns and improves neurobehavioral outcomes, aiding overall development.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neurology
- Developmental pediatrics
- Neurophysiology
Background:
- Preterm infants face developmental challenges.
- Brain function development is crucial for long-term outcomes.
- Early interventions can mitigate risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of oral motor intervention (OMI) on brain function development in preterm infants.
- To assess changes in electroencephalogram (EEG) and neurobehavioral assessments.
- To compare outcomes between intervention and control groups.
Main Methods:
- 112 preterm infants were stratified by gestational age and randomized into control and OMI groups.
- Oral motor intervention (OMI) was administered to the intervention group.
- Amplitude-integrated EEG (aEEG) and Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment (NBNA) were used to evaluate brain function development on days 1, 7, and 14.
Main Results:
- The OMI group showed improved aEEG scores and neurobehavioral assessments compared to controls.
- Significant improvements in EEG parameters and NBNA scores were observed in both small- and large-gestational-age preterm infants receiving OMI.
- OMI promoted a higher percentage of mature sleep-wake cycles in small-gestational-age infants.
Conclusions:
- Oral motor intervention (OMI) effectively promotes the maturation of aEEG background activities in preterm infants.
- OMI improves neurobehavioral manifestations and accelerates overall brain function development.
- This intervention offers a promising approach for enhancing developmental outcomes in preterm neonates.
Objective:
To study the effect of oral motor intervention (OMI) on brain function development in preterm infants.
Methods:
A total of 112 preterm infants were stratified into small-gestational-age (30-31+6 weeks) and large-gestational-age (32-33+6 weeks) according to gestational age at birth. The preterm infants were randomly divided into a control group and an intervention group, with 56 infants in each group. The infants in the control group were given routine treatment and nursing, while those in the intervention group were given OMI in addition to the treatment and nursing in the control group. Amplitude-integrated EEG (aEEG) and Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment (NBNA) were performed on days 1, 7, and 14 of enrollment, and the level of brain function development was compared before and after intervention.
Results:
On day 7 of OMI, the small-gestational-age intervention group had lower upper bounds of voltage and bandwidth and a higher aEEG score than the small-gestational-age control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the small-gestational-age control group, the small-gestational-age intervention group had higher upper bound of voltage, percentage of mature sleep-wake cycle, aEEG score, and NBNA score and a lower narrow bandwidth on day 14 of OMI (P < 0.05). Compared with the large-gestational-age control group, the large-gestational-age intervention group had lower upper voltage and voltage difference and higher lower bound of voltage and aEEG score on days 7 and 14 of OMI (P < 0.05). On day 7 of OMI, the large-gestational-age intervention group had a higher NBNA score than the large-gestational-age control group (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
OMI can promote the maturation of aEEG background activities, improve neurobehavioral manifestations, and accelerate brain function development in preterm infants.
