title: A pilot study on early home-based intervention through an intelligent baby gym (CareToy) in preterm infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  CareToy is an intelligent system, inspired by baby gyms, aimed to provide an intensive, individualized, home-based and family-centred early intervention (EI) program.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  A pilot study was carried out to explore the feasibility of CareToy intervention in preterm infants, aged 3-9 months of corrected age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty low-risk preterm infants, without brain lesion or other clinical complications (14 allocated to CareToy intervention and 6 to Standard Care) were recruited. The Infant Motor Profile (IMP) was predefined as the primary outcome measure and Alberta Infant Motor Scale and Teller Acuity Cards as secondary measures. Moreover, 202 pre-programmed training scenarios were developed and instructions for the management of CareToy intervention were defined as general guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All infants received 4 weeks of their allocated intervention and were evaluated with the selected tests before and immediately after the 4 weeks. The mean difference changes in IMP total score and Teller Acuity Cards over the intervention period were higher in the CareToy group than in the Standard Care group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CareToy seems a feasible device for providing EI. An adequately powered randomized clinical trial is warranted.
authors: Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: gsgandurra@fsm.unipi.it.
authors: Giuseppina
authors: G
authors: Sgandurra
authors: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pisa University Hospital Santa Chiara, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: l.bartalena@ao-pisa.toscana.it.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Bartalena
authors: The BioRobotics Institute, Polo Sant'Anna Valdera, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, Pontedera, 56026 Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: f.cecchi@sssup.it.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Cecchi
authors: Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 56125 Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: gcioni@fsm.unipi.it.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Cioni
authors: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pisa University Hospital Santa Chiara, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: giampimg@gmail.com.
authors: Matteo
authors: M
authors: Giampietri
authors: Department of Neonatology, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: Gorm.Greisen@regionh.dk.
authors: Gorm
authors: G
authors: Greisen
authors: Department of Neonatology, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Helene Elsass Center, Charlottenlund, Denmark. Electronic address: ah@elsasscenter.dk.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Herskind
authors: Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy; Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Institute of Life of Sciences, Piazza Martiri delle Libertà, 1, 56127 Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: einguaggiato@fsm.unipi.it.
authors: Emanuela
authors: E
authors: Inguaggiato
authors: Helene Elsass Center, Charlottenlund, Denmark; Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sport, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: jlo@elsasscenter.dk.
authors: Jakob
authors: J
authors: Lorentzen
authors: Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sport, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: jbnielsen@nexs.ku.dk.
authors: Jens Bo
authors: JB
authors: Nielsen
authors: Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: morlando@fsm.unipi.it.
authors: Martina
authors: M
authors: Orlando
authors: The BioRobotics Institute, Polo Sant'Anna Valdera, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, Pontedera, 56026 Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: p.dario@sssup.it.
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Dario
mesh_terms: D018479:Early Intervention, Educational / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010988:Play and Playthings; D000069350:Telerehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D014796:Visual Perception
keywords: Early intervention; Information and Communication Technology; Medical bioengineering; Pilot study; Preterm infants; Tele-rehabilitation