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Multisensory stimulation to promote feeding and psychomotor development in preterm infants: A systematic review
Miriam Embarek-Hernández1, Javier Güeita-Rodríguez2, Francisco Molina-Rueda2
1Texum Rehabilitation Center, Madrid, Spain.
Insights
Multisensory stimulation (MSS) programs for preterm infants can improve feeding behaviors and psychomotor development. This intervention aids in achieving full oral feeding and enhances visual function in premature babies.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Developmental neuroscience
- Rehabilitation medicine
Background:
- Sensory stimulation leverages neuronal plasticity and cortical reorganization.
- It aims to facilitate brain organization through peripheral stimuli.
- Preterm infants often require interventions to support development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate evidence on multisensory stimulation programs for preterm infants.
- To compare these programs against standard care or other interventions.
- To assess improvements in feeding behavior and psychomotor development.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized clinical trials (2015-2021).
- Searched databases: Medline, PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus, Web of Science.
- Included studies on preterm infants (<37 weeks gestation) receiving multisensory stimulation.
Main Results:
- Nine high-quality studies (PEDro scale ≥6) involving 545 infants.
- Multisensory stimulation correlated with faster full oral feeding.
- Improved human milk consumption, psychomotor, and visual development observed.
Conclusions:
- Multisensory stimulation is a promising intervention for preterm infants.
- It positively impacts feeding, psychomotor, and visual outcomes.
- Further research can refine MSS protocols for optimal neonatal care.
Background:
Sensory stimulation is an intervention that, through peripheral stimuli, can facilitate brain organization, due to neuronal plasticity and cortical reorganization. The objective of this study was to evaluate the evidence about the effects of a multisensory stimulation program, applied on preterm infants, compared to any intervention or standard care, to improve feeding behaviour, and psychomotor development.
Methods:
The data sources included Medline (pubmed, EBSCO), Scopus and Web Of Science. The studies were randomized clinical trials published between 2015 and 2021 that analyzed multisensory stimulation interventions in preterm infants born less than 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Results:
Nine articles were identified, involving 545 preterm infants between 25 and 37 weeks of pregnancy. The studies applied different combinations of sensory stimulation. These interventions were related to a better time to achieve full oral feeding and higher consumption of human milk at discharge, better psychomotor development and visual function. All studies scored 6 or higher on the PEDro scale meaning good quality.
Conclusion:
Multisensory stimulation in preterm infants may improve feeding, psychomotor development, and visual function.
