Leg Movement Rate before and after a Caregiver-Provided Intervention for Infants at Risk of Developmental Disability:...

Area of Science:

• Developmental Pediatrics
• Motor Development
• Infant Health

Background:

• Infants at risk for developmental disabilities often exhibit reduced motor activity.
• Early intervention is crucial for improving motor outcomes in at-risk infants.
• Caregiver involvement is key in implementing effective infant interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a caregiver-provided in-home intervention on the daily leg movement rate of infants at risk for developmental disabilities.
• To assess caregiver adherence and the quality of caregiver-child interaction during the intervention.
• To explore the potential of leg movement rate as an outcome measure for infant interventions.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of twelve infants at risk for developmental disabilities and their caregivers participated.
• The intervention focused on increasing leg movements and was administered between 3- and 6-months corrected age.
• Infants were assessed monthly for leg movement rates, caregiver adherence, and caregiver-child interaction quality (using NCAST).

Main Results:

• Infants increased their daily leg movement rate post-intervention (p=0.040).
• Caregivers demonstrated high adherence (Median: 89%) and good quality of interaction (Median NCAST total: 46).
• Adherence and interaction quality remained consistent throughout the intervention period.

Conclusions:

• Caregiver-provided in-home interventions can effectively enhance leg movement rates in at-risk infants.
• Leg movement rate shows promise as a measurable outcome for assessing infant motor practice and progress during interventions.
• The study highlights the feasibility and effectiveness of integrating motor interventions into the home environment with strong caregiver support.