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Physiotherapy Intervention on Premature Infants-A Pilot Study
Daniela Parau1, Anamaria Butila Todoran2, Rodica Balasa3
1Doctoral School, 'George Emil Palade' University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania.
Insights
Early physiotherapy for premature infants improves motor development. Key factors influencing development include gestational age and birth weight, highlighting the need for early intervention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Physical Therapy
Background:
- Prematurity can lead to long-term motor development deficits.
- Early kinetotherapeutic treatment is crucial, even without apparent delays.
- Understanding influencing factors aids timely intervention for premature infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- Analyze factors affecting motor development in premature infants up to 9 months.
- Identify the motor development curve for premature infants at 3, 6, and 9 months.
- Establish benchmarks for symmetrical elbow support, supported sitting, and verticalization.
Main Methods:
- Prospective pilot study conducted over 2 years in a Romanian rehabilitation facility.
- Involved 78 premature infants meeting specific inclusion/exclusion criteria.
- Utilized specialized physiotherapists for assessments and Bobath therapy.
Main Results:
- Early physiotherapy interventions positively impact motor development.
- Identified key biological factors influencing motor development.
- Gestational age and birth weight were prominent factors affecting development.
Conclusions:
- Early physiotherapy reduces motor development disparities between preterm and full-term infants.
- Gestational age and birth weight are significant predictors of motor development outcomes.
- Timely, targeted interventions are vital for optimizing motor milestones in premature infants.
Abstract:
Background and Objectives: Considering the fact that prematurity echoes in terms of motor development even up to the age of adolescence, through the presence of deficiencies, the importance of starting kinetotherapeutic treatment as soon as possible is highlighted, even in the absence of brain damage or obvious motor delays. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to analyze the factors that influence the level of motor development of premature babies up to 9 months and identify the motor development curve of premature babies according to the three stages of motor development: the position of symmetrical support on the elbows at 3 months, sitting with support at 6 months, and verticalization at 9 months. Materials and Methods: This prospective pilot study was conducted within a rehabilitation facility located in Targu Mureș, Romania, spanning a duration of 2 years from June 2021 to 2023. Results: The study involved a population of 78 children, all premature infants, selected from the patient pool of the rehabilitation facility, specifically chosen based on adherence to the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria outlined in the study protocol. Two physiotherapists specialized in child recovery were involved in the study, and one performed the assessments and the other applied the Bobath therapy. Conclusions: Early physiotherapy interventions can have a positive influence in terms of reducing differences in motor development between preterm and full-term infants. This study identified several factors that influence the motor development of premature infants. Among these, the most prominent biological factors were gestational age and birth weight.
