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Early Intervention in Families with Preterm Infants: A Review of Findings from a Randomized Controlled Trial
1Department of Education, University of Oslo, 0317 Oslo, Norway.
Insights
The Mother-Infant Transaction Program-Modified (MITP-M) improved cognitive and social development in preterm infants. This intervention led to better academic achievement and reduced behavioral issues by age nine.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatrics
- Family Studies
Background:
- Preterm birth (<2000 g) poses risks to infant development.
- Early parent-infant interaction is crucial for child outcomes.
- The Tromsø Intervention Study on Preterms (TISP) aimed to address these challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the Mother-Infant Transaction Program-Modified (MITP-M) effects on preterm infants.
- To assess cognitive, social, and behavioral development.
- To examine family stress and quality of life.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial comparing MITP-M to a control group.
- Included 146 preterm infants and 75 full-term infants.
- Follow-up assessments until 9 years of age.
Main Results:
- Intervention group showed enhanced infant temperament "reading" by parents.
- Significantly higher cognitive scores at 3, 5, and 7 years.
- At 9 years: fewer attention problems, better school performance, and improved quality of life.
- Reduced parental stress reported from the first year onwards.
Conclusions:
- MITP-M positively impacts preterm infant development and family well-being.
- The intervention demonstrates long-term benefits for cognitive and social outcomes.
- Findings support the integration of MITP-M into clinical practice for preterm infants.
Abstract:
The Tromsø Intervention Study on Preterms (TISP) randomized 146 preterm born children (<2000 g) either to the Mother-Infant Transaction Program-Modified (MITP-M, n = 72) or to a preterm control group (n = 74). In addition, 75 full-term babies were followed up until 9 years of age. TISP was conducted at the University Hospital Northern Norway (UNN) and only infants who did not have congenital anomalies and families where the mothers’ native language was Norwegian were included. The study investigates the effect of MITP-M on cognitive and social development including behavioral problems, quality of life and stress in the family. The results have so far been published in various journals. The aim of this article is to give a comprehensive overall presentation of the main findings and discuss implications for clinical practice and further research. Parents in the intervention group were superior in “reading” their infants’ temperament, and at 3, 5 and 7 years of age the intervention group scored significantly higher on well-known tests of cognitive outcome. At 9 years of age, the intervention group had fewer attentional problems, better school achievements and a better quality of life. From the first year onwards, mothers and fathers in the intervention group reported lower levels of stress than parents of in the preterm control group.
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