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Khurana S, Lewis LE, Russell DM, Dusing SC, Krishna Rao B. Neonatal and Home-Based PT Improves Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Preterm Infants-A Randomized Clinical Trial. Pediatr Phys Ther 2025; 37:218-230. [PMID: 39792781 DOI: 10.1097/pep.0000000000001181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2025]
Abstract
PURPOSE Investigate the effect of structured neonatal physical therapy program (SNP) on neurodevelopmental outcomes of moderate and late preterm (MLP) infants. METHODS Sixty MLP infants were randomly allocated to usual care (UC) or SNP. A previous publication reported the effect of neonatal component of SNP at hospital discharge. This paper examined SNP's effect on motor, cognitive and language outcomes at 3 and 6 months using a 2-way mixed design ANOVA. RESULTS Both groups were similar at baseline for motor scores. Infants receiving SNP significantly outperformed UC at all subsequent time points. At 3 and 6 months, SNP significantly outscored UC in cognitive and language outcomes. CONCLUSION SNP is effective in improving neurodevelopmental outcomes of MLP infants. However, caution is suggested in interpreting its effect on cognition and language as we lacked baseline scores to compare the longitudinal trajectory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Khurana
- Department of Physical Therapy, Ellmer College of Health Sciences, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia (Dr Khurana); Department of Pediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India (Dr Lewis); School of Exercise Science, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia (Dr Russell); Sykes Chair of Pediatric Physical Therapy, Health, and Development, University of Southern California, Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, Los Angeles, California (Dr Dusing); Department of Physiotherapy, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India (Dr Krishna Rao)
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Skanika K, Tzitiridou-Chatzopoulou M, Papadopoulou O, Xalkia A, Dimaki D, Koukou Z, OROVOUb E, Savvidis G, Hristara-Papadopoulou A. Effect of Physiotherapy on Preterm Neonates and its Results on Five-Year-Old Children, According to GMFM - GMPM Evaluation Scales. MAEDICA 2024; 19:273-282. [PMID: 39188833 PMCID: PMC11345075 DOI: 10.26574/maedica.2024.19.2.273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to emphasize the necessity and possibilities of early intervention and physiotherapy rehabilitation of premature infants, as they are reflected in five-year olds according to the gross motor function measure (GMFM) and gross motor performance measure (GMPM) evaluation scales for gross function and quality of movement. In addition, the present study examined the importance of using assessment tools for children who have received or not therapeutic intervention, through which both the child's abilities and appropriateness of the help received by him/her are evaluated based on individual needs. MATERIAL AND METHODS Our specific exploratory process was carried out through a literature review as well as a process of primary research, in order to obtain and collect all necessary information and data which would finally lead us to the nearest and best conclusions. Our goal was to collect 20 complete and graded GMFM and 20 GMPM assessment tests, so that our research was based on a satisfactory sample of participants. In the next year, the scores received by participants were recorded and analyzed using the statistical software program SPSS (Superior Performance Software System). The analysis was performed through descriptive and inductive statistical analysis in the SPSS statistical program. Specifically, the SPSS version 20.0 and specifically the one-way ANOVA variance analysis and the Tukey's parametric test were used for the statistical analysis of the results. RESULTS The use of physiotherapy care was found to be important for premature infants, as the level of statistical significance was set at p <0.05, while the data were reported as average. The final overall scores of the evaluations (on average) were higher in the group who received early intervention and specialized physiotherapy intervention from the first day after birth. CONCLUSIONS The effect of physiotherapy on premature infants is positive in five-year-old children, who have completed almost all their developmental stages at that age. These benefits become apparent not only in a better handling of kinetic patterns and sequences but also in the ability to execute kinetic models, conquer developmental motor stages and perform them with quality in terms of alignment, sequence, synergy of movements, separation and stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantina Skanika
- Department of Physiotherapy International Hellenic University, Thessaloniki, 574 00 Greece
| | | | - Ourania Papadopoulou
- Department of Physiotherapy International Hellenic University, Thessaloniki, 574 00 Greece
| | - Anna Xalkia
- Department of Physiotherapy International Hellenic University, Thessaloniki, 574 00 Greece
| | - Despoina Dimaki
- Department of Physiotherapy International Hellenic University, Thessaloniki, 574 00 Greece
| | - Zoi Koukou
- Department of Physiotherapy International Hellenic University, Thessaloniki, 574 00 Greece
| | | | - Georgios Savvidis
- Department of Midwifery University of Western Macedonia, Kepse, Ptolemaida, Greece
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Fioroni Ribeiro da Silva C, Menici V, Tudella E, Beani E, Barzacchi V, Battini R, Orsini A, Cioni G, Sgandurra G. Parental Practices and Environmental Differences among Infants Living in Upper-Middle and High-Income Countries: A Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:10833. [PMID: 36078549 PMCID: PMC9517859 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191710833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Parental practices and environmental factors can impact a child's development and, consequently, functionality. The objective is to assess the parental practices and environmental differences in healthy and at-risk infants at 3-6 months of age living in upper-middle (Brazil) and high-income (Italy) countries. A total group of 115 infants was identified and classified into four groups: healthy Italian infants (H_IT); Italian infants exposed to biological risk factors (R_IT); healthy Brazilian infants (H_BR); and Brazilian infants exposed to environmental risk factors (L_BR). The dependent variables were parental practices and environmental factors, which were assessed through a semi-structured interview and the "variety of stimulation dimension" from the Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development-Infant Scale (AHEMD-IS) questionnaire. Descriptive analyses, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), and correlation tests were applied. Regarding the environment and parental practices, the mother's age, maternal and paternal education, civil status, and variety of stimulation showed significant differences among the infants living in Brazil or in Italy. There were strong dissimilarities in parental practices and environmental factors among infants living in low/upper-middle and high-income countries. Since the home environment is the main stimulus for infant growth and development, our results are meaningful for providing knowledge about these two different cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Fioroni Ribeiro da Silva
- Postgraduate Program in Physiotherapy (PPG-Ft), Department of Physiotherapy, Nucleus of Studies in Neuropediatrics and Motricity (NENEM), Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos 13565-905, Brazil
| | - Valentina Menici
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Ph.D. Programme in Clinical and Translational Sciences, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Eloisa Tudella
- Postgraduate Program in Physiotherapy (PPG-Ft), Department of Physiotherapy, Nucleus of Studies in Neuropediatrics and Motricity (NENEM), Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos 13565-905, Brazil
| | - Elena Beani
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Veronica Barzacchi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Tuscan Ph.D. Programme of Neuroscience, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Orsini
- Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric Department, Santa Chiara University Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Sgandurra
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Borge Blystad J, van der Meer ALH. Longitudinal study of infants receiving extra motor stimulation, full‐term control infants, and infants born preterm: High‐density EEG analyses of cortical activity in response to visual motion. Dev Psychobiol 2022; 64:e22276. [PMID: 35603414 PMCID: PMC9325384 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Electroencephalography was used to investigate the effects of extrastimulation and preterm birth on the development of visual motion perception during early infancy. Infants receiving extra motor stimulation in the form of baby swimming, a traditionally raised control group, and preterm born infants were presented with an optic flow pattern simulating forward and reversed self‐motion and unstructured random visual motion before and after they achieved self‐produced locomotion. Extrastimulated infants started crawling earlier and displayed significantly shorter N2 latencies in response to visual motion than their full‐term and preterm peers. Preterm infants could not differentiate between visual motion conditions, nor did they significantly decrease their latencies with age and locomotor experience. Differences in induced activities were also observed with desynchronized theta‐band activity in all infants, but with more mature synchronized alpha–beta band activity only in extrastimulated infants after they had become mobile. Compared with the other infants, preterm infants showed more widespread desynchronized oscillatory activities at lower frequencies at the age of 1 year (corrected for prematurity). The overall advanced performance of extrastimulated infants was attributed to their enriched motor stimulation. The poorer responses in the preterm infants could be related to impairment of the dorsal visual stream that is specialized in the processing of visual motion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Borge Blystad
- Developmental Neuroscience Laboratory Department of Psychology Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Trondheim Norway
| | - Audrey L. H. van der Meer
- Developmental Neuroscience Laboratory Department of Psychology Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Trondheim Norway
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Khurana S, Rao BK, Lewis LE, Kumaran SD, Kamath A, Einspieler C, Dusing SC. Neonatal PT Improves Neurobehavior and General Movements in Moderate to Late Preterm Infants Born in India: An RCT. Pediatr Phys Ther 2021; 33:208-216. [PMID: 34618744 DOI: 10.1097/pep.0000000000000824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine whether a structured neonatal physical therapy program (SNP) improves neurobehavior and general movements in moderate to late preterm (MLP) infants. METHODS Sixty MLP infants participated in this clinical trial. After baseline assessment using the Neurobehavioral Assessment of Preterm Infant (NAPI) and Prechtl General Movements (GMs) Assessment, infants were randomly allocated to a usual care (n = 30) or an SNP group (n = 30) and continued receiving usual care. The SNP group received intervention for 90 minutes/day, 6 days/week until discharge. Changes in neurobehavior and GMs were assessed at hospital discharge. RESULTS Changes in scores on scarf sign and motor development and vigor clusters of NAPI document an improvement in the SNP group. The proportion of infants with poor repertoire GMs also decreased more in the SNP group than in the usual care group. CONCLUSION The SNP may be effective in improving some aspects of neurobehavior and quality of GMs in MLP infants. WHAT THIS ADDS TO THE EVIDENCE The addition of a structured neonatal physical therapy program to usual care can promote neurobehavioral organization and improve the quality of general movements in moderate and late preterm infants in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Khurana
- Department of Physical Therapy (Dr Khurana), Motor Development Lab, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Physiotherapy (Drs Rao and Kumaran), Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India; Department of Paediatrics (Drs Lewis), Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India; Department of Data Science (Dr Kamath), Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India; Division of Phoniatrics (Dr Einspieler), Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy (Dr Dusing), University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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Campbell SK. Functional movement assessment with the Test of Infant Motor Performance. J Perinatol 2021; 41:2385-2394. [PMID: 33883688 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-021-01060-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to review research on the Test of Infant Motor Performance, a functional assessment of movement capabilities with age standards for infants from 34 weeks postmenstrual age through 17 weeks post term (corrected age). The Test of Infant Motor Performance was normed on a U.S. population-based sample to support its use as a tool for diagnosing delayed motor development in early infancy. The test is one of the preferred methods for parents of babies in special care nurseries to learn about their infant's development. The test was used in a variety of clinical trials to document effects of early therapy and can be used as a short-term outcome measure for other interventions expected to impact functional motor performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzann K Campbell
- Professor Emerita, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Partner, Infant Motor Performance Scales, LLC, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Cunha AB, Miquelote AF, Santos DCC. Motor affordance at home for infants living in poverty: A feasibility study. Infant Behav Dev 2018; 51:52-59. [DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Ryalls BO, Harbourne R, Kelly-Vance L, Wickstrom J, Stergiou N, Kyvelidou A. A Perceptual Motor Intervention Improves Play Behavior in Children with Moderate to Severe Cerebral Palsy. Front Psychol 2016; 7:643. [PMID: 27199868 PMCID: PMC4853430 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2015] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
For children with moderate or severe cerebral palsy (CP), a foundational early goal is independent sitting. Sitting offers additional opportunities for object exploration, play and social engagement. The achievement of sitting coincides with important milestones in other developmental areas, such as social engagement with others, understanding of spatial relationships, and the use of both hands to explore objects. These milestones are essential skills necessary for play behavior. However, little is known about how sitting and play behavior might be affected by a physical therapy intervention in children with moderate or severe CP. Therefore, our overall purpose in this study was to determine if sitting skill could be advanced in children with moderate to severe CP using a perceptual motor intervention, and if play skills would change significantly as sitting advanced. Thirty children between the ages of 18 months and 6 years who were able to hold prop sitting for at least 10 s were recruited for this study. Outcome measures were the sitting subsection of the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), and the Play Assessment of Children with Motor Impairment play assessment scale, which is a modified version of the Play in Early Childhood Evaluation System. Significant improvements in GMFM sitting scores (p < 0.001) and marginally significant improvement in play assessment scores (p = 0.067) were found from pre- to post-intervention. Sitting change explained a significant portion of the variance in play change for children over the age of 3 years, who were more severely affected by CP. The results of this study indicate that advances in sitting skill may be a factor in supporting improvements in functional play, along with age and severity of physical impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Nick Stergiou
- University of Nebraska at Omaha, OmahaNE, USA
- College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, OmahaNE, USA
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Guimarães EL, Tudella E. Immediate Effect of Training at the Onset of Reaching in Preterm Infants: Randomized Clinical Trial. J Mot Behav 2015; 47:535-49. [PMID: 25893978 DOI: 10.1080/00222895.2015.1022247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The authors' aim was to investigate the immediate effect of a single specific training session (serial varied practice), of short duration on the kinematic parameters of reaching, in the period of the emergence of the skill in preterm and low birth weight infants. The study included 16 infants of both sexes, born at a mean gestational age of 32.13 (±1.36) weeks and mean birth weight of 1720.94 (±358.46) g. The infants were randomly divided into 2 groups: experimental and control. The experimental group was given a 5-min training session in reaching, while the control group received no training. The results showed significant differences in peak velocity in the intra (Z = -2.10, p = .036) and intergroup (U = 9.00, p = .016) evaluations, which decreased in the experimental group after training. Cohen's d test for clinical relevance suggested that the specific, short duration training proved effective in promoting slower reaches, with greater adjustment and lower number of units of movement. These results are positive for preterm infants given that these parameters more closely resemble the typical development of mature reaching behaviors in term infants, which suggests that this protocol of reaching training (serial varied practice) could be used as an evidence-based intervention strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Leonezi Guimarães
- a Department of Applied Physiotherapy , Health Sciences Institute, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro , Uberaba , Minas Gerais , Brazil
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Supporting Play Exploration and Early Development Intervention From NICU to Home: A Feasibility Study. Pediatr Phys Ther 2015; 27:267-74. [PMID: 26102168 DOI: 10.1097/pep.0000000000000161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the feasibility of completing a clinical trial of Supporting Play Exploration and Early Development Intervention (SPEEDI) that blends early and intense intervention with family support during the transition from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to home and the community. METHODS Ten infants born preterm were randomly assigned to intervention or usual care groups. Data on intervention frequency and parent feedback were used to determine the feasibility of SPEEDI. Effect sizes were calculated for motor and problem-solving outcome measures at the end of the intervention, 3 months adjusted age. RESULTS Infants received on average 96.4% and 100.3% of anticipated NICU and home intervention. Only 28% of infants were receiving early intervention services during the SPEEDI period. Effect sizes were large and in the anticipated direction. CONCLUSIONS SPEEDI is a feasible intervention and appropriate for future clinical trials. VIDEO ABSTRACT For more insights from the authors, see Supplemental Digital Content 1, available at http://links.lww.com/PPT/A83.
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de Almeida Soares D, Cunha AB, Tudella E. Differences between late preterm and full-term infants: comparing effects of a short bout of practice on early reaching behavior. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2014; 35:3096-3107. [PMID: 25134076 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2014.07.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2014] [Revised: 07/17/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
This study compared the effects of a short bout of practice on reaching behavior between late preterm and full-term infants at the onset of goal-directed reaching. Twelve late preterm infants and twelve full-term infants received reaching practice based on a serial schedule. Late preterm and full-term infants were assessed in 3.3±1.4 and 2.6±1.0 days after the onset of goal-directed reaching in two measures in a single day: immediately before practice (pre-test) and immediately after practice (post-test). During the assessments, the infants were placed in a baby chair and a rubber toy was presented at their midline within reaching distance for 2 min. Between assessments, the infants received practice of toy-oriented reaching in 3 activities repeated for approximately 4 min. The activities were elicited in a pre-established serial sequence and were applied by a physical therapist. During the pre-test, late preterm infants presented lower range of proximal adjustments, greater proportion of reaches with semi-open hand, and greater proportion of reaches without grasping than the full-term infants. During the post-test, late preterm infants presented greater motor variability of proximal adjustments, but explored and selected distal control and grasping outcomes less compared to the full-term group. Differences in reaching and gross motor behavior between late preterm and full-term infants can be found at the age of reaching onset. Practice provided new opportunities for late preterm infants to improve perception-action coupling to reach; however, relative to full-terms, they seemed less advanced in benefiting from the experience for more refined manual tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele de Almeida Soares
- Department of Physical Therapy, Neuropediatrics Section, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Rod Washington Luis, km 235, 13565-905 São Carlos, SP, Brazil; Physical Therapy, Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Postal Box 549, 79070900 Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
| | - Andréa Baraldi Cunha
- Department of Physical Therapy, Neuropediatrics Section, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Rod Washington Luis, km 235, 13565-905 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Eloisa Tudella
- Department of Physical Therapy, Neuropediatrics Section, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Rod Washington Luis, km 235, 13565-905 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
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Soares DDA, van der Kamp J, Savelsbergh GJ, Tudella E. The effect of a short bout of practice on reaching behavior in late preterm infants at the onset of reaching: a randomized controlled trial. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2013; 34:4546-4558. [PMID: 24145045 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2013.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2013] [Revised: 09/14/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a short bout of practice on reaching behavior in late preterm infants at the onset of goal-directed reaching. The study was designed as a blind, three-arm parallel-group, randomized controlled, clinical trial. Thirty-six late preterm infants were recruited from a maternity hospital and allocated according to computer generated randomization into groups that received reaching practice based on either a blocked schedule, a serial schedule, or no practice. Practice consisted of a 4 min session of induced reaching using a toy in three activities guided by a physical therapist. The activities were elicited in separate blocks for the blocked practice group and in a pre-established order for the serial practice group. The control group stayed in the physical therapist's lap but was not stimulated to reach. The infants were assessed 3.3±1.4 days after the onset of goal-directed reaching in three tests: pre-test (immediately before practice), post-test (immediately after practice), and retention test (24 h after post-test). During assessments, the infants were seated in a baby chair and a toy was presented at his/her midline within reaching distance for 2 min. Changes in the number of reaches, proportions of uni/bimanual reaches and kinematic parameters of reaching were main outcome measures. From pre- to post-test, the amount of reaches and bimanual reaches increased in the serial practice group, but the increase was not maintained in the retention test. Kinematic parameters were not affected by practice. Changes in the reaching behavior of late preterm infants can be triggered after the first few minutes of toy-oriented experience based on a serial practice schedule. These changes are not consolidated one day later.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele de Almeida Soares
- Department of Physical Therapy, Neuropediatrics Section, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Rod Washington Luis, km 235, 13565-905 São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
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