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Published on: June 8, 2015
Environment Enrichment Strategies for Pre- and Post-Term Infants: A Summarized Communication From Pediatric Physical
Weiyang Deng1, Elizabeth Hoffman, Jacklyn Stoller
1Max Nader Center for Rehabilitation Technologies & Outcomes Research, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, Illinois (Drs Deng, Hoffman, Stoller, Rubsam, Ku, Barbieri, Lacci, and Jayaraman); Department of Rehabilitation Science, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Rubsam); Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts (Dr Barbieri); Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern Medicine, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Jayaraman); Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Jayaraman); Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Jayaraman).
Purpose:
Environmental enrichment (EE) represents a dynamic approach to enhance infants' cognitive and motor development through augmented environment with stimulating, novel opportunities. Despite the recognized benefits of EE on neuromotor outcomes, its integration into early physical therapy interventions for infants at risk of neuromotor delays and disabilities remains under-defined and inconsistently applied in standard practice. This gap underscores the necessity for comprehensive guidance to systematically incorporate EE into early intervention programs and daily routines.
Summary Of Key Points:
This paper provides a preliminary framework for the integration of EE into the clinical and home environments for infants from birth to 1 year of age.
Recommendations For Practice:
With the 7 key components of EE, including sensory system stimulation (auditory, proprioceptive, tactile, vestibular, and visual stimulations), cognitive challenges, and social engagement, this framework aims to maximize cognitive and motor development for infants at both pre and post-term age by leveraging the principles of EE(Supplemental Digital Content,Video, available at: http://links.lww.com/PPT/A624 ).
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