title: Effects of early intervention on mental or neuromusculoskeletal and movement-related functions in children born low birthweight or preterm: a meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We conducted a meta-analysis to examine the association between early intervention and mental or neuromusculoskeletal and movement-related functions of children born low birthweight (LBW) or preterm.
  
  
  METHODS
  The meta-analysis included 16 studies that yielded 97 effects. Q and I² values were used to determine heterogeneity. Publication bias was evaluated using Egger's regression intercept test and a funnel plot.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The association between early intervention and either mental or neuromusculoskeletal and movement-related functions yielded a significant but small effect size (d = .219, p < .0001). Heterogeneity was statistically insignificant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participation in early intervention programs addressing mental or neuromusculoskeletal and movement-related functions in children born LBW or preterm results in significant improvements in these areas.
authors.affiliation: Hae Yean Park, PhD, OT, is Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Occupational Therapy, Florida International University, Miami.
authors.forename: Hae Yean
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Kinsuk Maitra, PhD, OTR/L, is Chair and Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Florida International University, 11200 SW Eighth Street, MMC, AHC3 443, Miami, FL 33199; kmaitra@fiu.edu.
authors.forename: Kinsuk
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maitra
authors.affiliation: Jacqueline Achon, OTS, is Graduate Student, Department of Occupational Therapy, Florida International University, Miami.
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Achon
authors.affiliation: Evelyn Loyola, OTS, is Graduate Student, Department of Occupational Therapy, Florida International University, Miami.
authors.forename: Evelyn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Loyola
authors.affiliation: María Rincón, OTS, is Graduate Student, Department of Occupational Therapy, Florida International University, Miami.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rincón
mesh_terms: D061345:Early Medical Intervention / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D009788:Occupational Therapy