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Surface Electromyography Assessment of Muscle Activity in Preterm Infants With Feeding Disorders Following Premature
Shamim Ghazi1, Zahra Sadeghi, Farin Soleimani
1Author Affiliations: Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran (Dr Ghazi); Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran Dr Sadeghi Pediatric Neurorehabilitation Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran (Dr Ghazi, Dr Sadeghi, Dr Soleimani); Associate Professor of Nursing, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois (Dr Lessen Knoll); Department of Physiotherapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran (Dr Abdollahi); and Department of Biostatistics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran (Dr Bakhshi).
Insights
The Premature Infant Oral Motor Intervention (PIOMI) significantly improved orofacial muscle activity and feeding skills in premature infants. This study highlights PIOMI
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric therapy
- Speech-language pathology
Background:
- Premature infants often struggle with feeding due to underdeveloped oral-motor coordination.
- The Premature Infant Oral Motor Intervention (PIOMI) shows promise for improving feeding skills.
- Objective data on PIOMI's impact on orofacial muscle activity is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effects of PIOMI on orofacial muscle activity in premature infants with feeding difficulties.
- To evaluate PIOMI's impact on feeding outcomes, including oral-motor skills and milk intake.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving 10 premature infants (29-36 weeks gestational age) in Iran.
- Daily PIOMI sessions were administered for 7 days by a speech therapist.
- Surface electromyography (sEMG) measured orofacial muscle activity (masseter, zygomatic, orbicularis oris); oral-motor skills and milk intake were also assessed.
Main Results:
- Significant increases in sEMG amplitudes for masseter, zygomatic, and orbicularis oris muscles were observed (P < .001).
- Preterm Infant Oral Feeding Readiness Assessment Scale (POFRAS) scores improved significantly (P < .001).
- Mean milk intake volume increased significantly post-intervention (P < .001).
Conclusions:
- PIOMI effectively enhances orofacial muscle activity and feeding performance in premature infants.
- Surface electromyography (sEMG) serves as a valuable objective tool for evaluating intervention effects.
- Findings provide preliminary evidence supporting larger clinical trials for PIOMI.
Background:
Premature infants frequently experience feeding difficulties because of immature oral-motor coordination. The Premature Infant Oral Motor Intervention (PIOMI) has been shown to improve feeding skills, but objective evidence regarding its effects on orofacial muscle activity remains limited.
Purpose:
To evaluate the effects of PIOMI on orofacial muscle activity and feeding outcomes in premature infants with feeding disorders.
Methods:
This pilot study was conducted in Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Mazandaran, Iran. Ten premature infants (gestational age 29-36 weeks; mean 32.4 ± 2.1; birth weight 1706 ± 476 g) received daily PIOMI sessions for 7 days by a trained speech therapist. Orofacial muscle activity (masseter, zygomatic, and orbicularis oris) was measured using surface electromyography (sEMG) at rest and during non-nutritive sucking. Oral-motor skills were assessed with the Preterm Infant Oral Feeding Readiness Assessment Scale (POFRAS), and milk intake volume was recorded.
Results:
All infants completed the intervention in March 2025 without adverse events. The sEMG amplitudes increased significantly for the masseter (20.96-52.79 μV, P < .001), zygomatic (29.07-69.56 μV, P < .001), and orbicularis oris (20.97-73.36 μV, P < .001). POFRAS scores improved from 12.10 ± 3.38 to 20.70 ± 5.60 (P < .001), and milk intake from 40.00 ± 6.66 mL to 45.00 ± 18.40 mL (P < .001).
Implications For Practice And Research:
PIOMI enhances orofacial muscle activity and feeding skills in premature infants. These findings support sEMG as an objective evaluation tool and provide preliminary evidence for larger clinical trials.
