Maternal perceptions of infant exercise in the neonatal intensive care unit.
OBJECTIVE
To identify important factors that influence mothers' perceptions of engaging in exercise with their preterm infants.


METHODS
Qualitative, semistructured individual interviews.


METHODS
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.


METHODS
Thirteen mothers of preterm infants who were in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.


METHODS
Two researchers conducted interviews with mothers in English or Spanish. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed.


RESULTS
Mothers tended to view infant exercise as beneficial but feared for the safety of their infants. They perceived nurses as experts who could safely exercise their infants but feared that they themselves might harm their infants. Factors that influenced their beliefs included previous experiences with infant exercise and views regarding the fragility or the strength of their own infants. Mothers identified nurses, doctors, family members, and research studies as trusted sources of information on exercise efficacy and safety.


CONCLUSIONS
Understanding and addressing mothers' perceptions is a crucial component of a nursing intervention that teaches parents to do assisted exercises at home with their preterm infants.
Gravem
Dana
D
Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
Lakes
Kimberley D
KD
Teran
Lorena
L
Rich
Julia
J
Cooper
Dan
D
Olshansky
Ellen
E
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002140:California; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D017283:Neonatal Nursing; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012449:Safety; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires