Developmental Delay, Premature Infant
Conditions
Keywords
Prematurity, Development, Parental engagement, Parental satisfaction
Brief summary
Advances in medical technologies over the last three decades have increased survival rates in infants born preterm . Preterm infants are at high risk of developing developmental delays. Implementation of effective strategies aimed at improving the developmental outcome of preterm born children is critical. The proposed study is designed to evaluate the addition of a parent administered sensorimotor program on the developmental outcome of infants who are born preterm.
Detailed description
Children who are born prematurely are at a higher risk of developing developmental delays than children born at term. Early experiences in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can influence developmental outcomes. Sensorimotor interventions as well as parental engagement have been designed with the aim of improving the development of children born preterm. Substantial evidence supports the benefits of each intervention on improving developmental outcomes. However, there remains a significant gap in the literature on the efficacy of a parent administered sensorimotor intervention (PASI) program in the NICU on infant's development. The proposed study is designed to evaluate the potential benefits of such a program on infant's development. A randomized block clinical trial will be performed. A total of 84 preterm infants (\< 34 weeks gestation) will be recruited and randomized. Infants in the experimental group will receive the sensorimotor program,consisting of tactile (whole body) and oral input for 15 minutes, one time per day, for 10 days. Infants in the control group will receive standard care. The following outcomes will be monitored time to attainment of complete oral feeds (primary outcome), rate of weight gain, length of hospitalization, and developmental outcomes at 36 weeks corrected gestational age and at 4, 8, 12, 18 and 24 months corrected age. Results from this study will provide us with further knowledge on the impact of sensorimotor intervention on infants' developmental outcome as well as the effect of active parental involvement on infants' development. Provision of a PASI program is a safe and low cost effective intervention that may increase the development and quality of life of preterm born children and their family.
Interventions
Sensorimotor intervention involves, stroking of the whole body including the oral structures, trunk and limbs. This intervention does not involve any drugs or medical procedure.
OTHERControl
Routine care provided by health professionals in the NICU
OTHERStory telling attention refocusing intervention
A contact-free intervention where parents share stories with their infant for 10 minutes 3 times per week.
Sponsors
Dr. Sandra Fucile
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Masking description
A prospective randomized block clinical trial will be conducted. Infants will be randomized into experimental (PASI program) and control (standard care program) groups using a block size of four per arm, where the first set of four participants will be in the experimental group and once they have completed the intervention, the subsequent set of four participants will be in the control group. A randomized block design was selected because the treatment assignment cannot be masked. The block randomization procedure will reduce the potential for contamination between groups.
Intervention model description
Randomized clinical trail
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
No minimum to 34 Weeks
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Infants born \< 34 weeks gestation * Infants whose parent (s) intend on visiting regularly (\> 5 days)
Exclusion criteria
* Infants born with a metabolic disorder or congenital abnormality * Infants whose parents are unable to participate due to cognitive, physical or social issues.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Attainment of independent oral feeds | 3 years | Number of days to transition from complete tube to complete oral feeds. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Weight gain | 3 years | Weight gain velocity from start of study until hospital discharge |
| Length of hospital stay | 3 years | Number of days from birth to discharge home |
| Test of infant motor performance | 3 years | A standardized assessment measuring postural control and motor function in infants from 32 weeks gestation to 4 months corrected gestational age. Total raw scores range from 0-142, higher scores represent better motor function. |
| Acute stress of parents | 3 years | The PSS: NICU assessment was used to assess acute stress of parents |
Countries
Canada
Outcome results
None listed