Sensorimotor interventions improve growth and motor function in preterm infants.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
School of Physical & Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. sandra.fucile@mail.mcgill.ca
Sandra
S
Fucile
Erika G
EG
Gisel
D002657:Child Development; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods*; D009055:Mouth; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D015430:Weight Gain