Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2025
Quantifying Learning in Young Infants: Tracking Leg Actions During a Discovery-learning Task
Published on: June 1, 2015
Early Intervention Including an Active Motor Component in Preterms with Varying Risks for Neuromotor Delay: A
Nele De Bruyn1, Britta Hanssen1, Lisa Mailleux1
1Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Ghent University, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
Insights
Early interventions for preterm infants show limited long-term motor benefits. Integrating active motor components into family-centered approaches may enhance neuromotor development in at-risk infants.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Preterm infants face increased risks for neuromotor delays.
- Previous reviews highlight cognitive over motor benefits of early interventions.
- Targeted motor interventions may be necessary for optimal motor development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review early interventions with active motor components for preterm infants.
- To assess the impact of these interventions on neuromotor outcomes.
- To identify optimal intervention strategies for preterm infants at risk of neuromotor delay.
Main Methods:
- Systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for (quasi-)randomized controlled trials.
- Inclusion of interventions with an active motor component initiated within the first year of life.
- Assessment of risk of bias using the Risk of Bias 2 tool.
Main Results:
- Twenty-one unique (quasi-)RCTs were included, categorized into motor-based (n=6) and family-centered (n=19) interventions.
- Motor-based interventions showed immediate improvements in motor outcomes in 4 studies, with 1 showing sustained effects.
- Family-centered interventions had limited long-term efficacy beyond age five, with significant heterogeneity across studies.
Conclusions:
- Early interventions demonstrate limited effects on motor outcomes, particularly long-term.
- Integrating a stronger motor-focused component within family-centered approaches may improve motor outcomes.
- This combined approach is particularly relevant for preterm infants exhibiting early signs of neuromotor delay.
Abstract:
Background/Objectives: Previous reviews demonstrated stronger benefits of early interventions on cognition compared to motor outcome in preterm-born infants. Potentially, motor development needs more targeted interventions, including at least an active motor component. However, there is no overview focusing on such interventions in preterm-born infants, despite the increased risk for neuromotor delays. Methods: PubMed, Embase and Web of Science were systematically searched for (quasi-)randomized controlled trials regarding early interventions in preterm-born infants, with varying risks for neuromotor delay, and trials comprising an active motor component started within the first year were included. Study data and participant characteristics were extracted. The risk of bias was assessed with the Risk of Bias 2 tool. Results: Twenty-five reports, including twenty-one unique (quasi-)RCTs, were included and categorized as either pure motor-based interventions (n = 6) or family-centered interventions (n = 19). Of the motor-based interventions, four improved motor outcomes immediately after the intervention, and one of these also did so at follow-up, compared to five and one for family-centered approaches, respectively. Only five family-centered studies assessed long-term effects beyond age five, finding no greater efficacy than standard care. Overall, large variations were present for intervention intensity, type and outcomes between the included studies. Conclusions: Although methodological heterogeneity compromised conclusions, limited effects on motor outcome, in particular long-term outcome, were identified. Including a stronger motor-focused component embedded within a family-centered approach could potentially increase the impact on motor outcome, which would be of particular interest for infants showing early signs of neuromotor delay.
