Sensorimotor Interventions Improve Growth and Motor Function in Preterm Infants

Fucile, Sandra PhD, OTR
Gisel, Erika G. PhD, OTR

Disclosure

The authors disclose no relevant financial interests or affiliations with any commercial interests.

Accepted for publication January 2010. Revised February 2010.

This study was supported by the Fonds de la Recherche en Santé du Québec and a Standard Life Dissertation Fellowship to Sandra Fucile.

About the Authors

Sandra Fucile recently completed her PhD in rehabilitation science at the School of Physical & Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal. Her research interest is early intervention strategies to promote preterm infants' development.

Erika G. Gisel is a professor at the School of Physical & Occupational Therapy, McGill University. Her research interests are directed toward the assessment and treatment of individuals with neurologically-based eating impairments.

The authors would like to thank C. Lau, PhD, for her mentorship and for allowing us to do the study in the NICU at Texas Children's Hospital; all the nurses for their collaboration in the data collection; and E. O. Smith, PhD, for assistance with statistical analyses.

For further information, please contact: Sandra Fucile, PhD, OTR School of Physical and Occupational Therapy McGill University 3630 Promenade Sir-William-Osler Montreal, QC, H3G 1Y5 Canada Email: [email protected]

Neonatal Network 29(6):p 359-366, November-December 2010.

Abstract

Purpose:

To assess the effect of an oral (O+O), a tactile/ kinesthetic (T/K+T/K), and a combined (O+T/K) intervention on preterm infants' weight gain and motor function and to determine whether the combined O+T/K intervention has an additive/synergistic effect on outcomes.

Design/Sample:

Seventy-five preterm infants were randomized into an O+O intervention consisting of oral stimulation, a T/K+T/K intervention involving whole body stimulation, an O+T/K intervention, and a control group. Interventions were administered for 15 minutes, twice a day, for ten days.

Outcomes:

Weight gain, motor function.

Results:

The O+O and T/K+T/K groups had greater weight gain during the intervention period than did controls (p ≤.025). The T/K+T/K and O+T/K groups had better motor function than did controls (p ≤.017).

Conclusion:

Single and combined interventions improved growth and motor function. The combined intervention, because of the shorter duration of each modality, did not lead to additive/synergistic effects, suggesting that the duration of the sensorimotor input is as important as its target in achieving defined outcomes.