A multicenter clinical study on parent-implemented early intervention for children with global developmental delay

Area of Science:

• Developmental Pediatrics
• Early Childhood Intervention
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Early identification and intervention are crucial for children with global developmental delay (GDD) to improve prognosis and prevent intellectual disability.
• Parent-implemented early intervention programs (PIEIP) offer a promising strategy for addressing GDD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the clinical effectiveness of a PIEIP for children diagnosed with GDD.
• To provide a research basis for the wider application of PIEIP in managing GDD.

Main Methods:

• A controlled study involving children aged 3-6 months diagnosed with GDD.
• The experimental group received PIEIP intervention, while the control group did not.
• Assessments of developmental quotients (DQ) and parenting stress were conducted at 12 and 24 months of age.

Main Results:

• Children in the PIEIP group showed significantly higher progress in locomotor, personal-social, and language domains compared to the control group (P < 0.05).
• The Griffiths Mental Development Scale-Chinese (GDS-C) general quotient (GQ) also improved significantly in the intervention group.
• Parental stress, including dysfunctional interaction and difficult child behaviors, significantly decreased in the PIEIP group (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• PIEIP intervention is clinically effective in improving developmental outcomes for children with GDD.
• The program shows particular benefits in enhancing locomotor, personal-social, and language skills.
• PIEIP also significantly reduces parental stress, contributing to better overall family functioning.