Relationships of equipment use and play positions to motor development at eight months corrected age of infants born preterm.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between both use of infant equipment and play positions and motor development of infants born preterm who were classified as high risk. Subjects were 60 parent-infant dyads attending a developmental follow-up clinic.


METHODS
Parents reported the duration of infant equipment use and the predominant positions in which their infants played in the previous month. Infants were assessed using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS).


RESULTS
Equipment use was not related to motor development; however, the duration of carrying was negatively related to the sit subscale of the AIMS (r = -0.31, p < 0.05). As a group, the infants in this sample spent more time in the relatively less active play positions of sitting and supine than in the positions of prone and standing.


CONCLUSIONS
Therapists should consider the use of equipment and specific play positions to enhance motor development of infants born preterm and work with parents to promote an understanding of the importance of providing their infants with opportunities to develop early motor competencies.
Bartlett
Doreen J
DJ
School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Elborn College, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. djbartle@uwo.ca
Kneale Fanning
Jamie E
JE