Article

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of intervention in infants
at risk of developmental disorders on motor outcome, as measured by the Infant
Motor Profile (IMP) and using the combined approach of a randomized controlled
trial and process evaluation. METHOD: At a corrected age of 3 months, 46 infants
(20 males, 26 females) recruited from the neonatal intensive care unit at the
University Medical Centre Groningen (median birthweight 1210 g, range 585-4750 g;
median gestational age 30 wks, range 25-40 wks) were included on the basis of
definitely abnormal general movements. Exclusion criteria were severe congenital
disorders and insufficient understanding of the Dutch language. The infants were
assigned to either the family-centred COPing with and CAring for Infants with
Special Needs (COPCA) intervention group (n=21; 9 males, 12 females) or the
traditional infant physiotherapy (TIP) intervention group (n=25; 11 males, 14
females) for a period of 3 months. Three infants assigned to the TIP group (one
male, two females) did not receive physiotherapy. IMP scores were measured by
blinded assessors at 3, 4, 5, 6, and 18 months. At each age, the infants were
neurologically examined. Physiotherapeutic sessions at 4 and 6 months were
videotaped. Quantified physiotherapeutic actions were correlated with IMP scores
at 6 and 18 months. RESULTS: The IMP scores of both the COPCA and TIP groups
before, during, and after the intervention did not differ. Some physiotherapeutic
actions were associated with IMP outcomes; the associations differed for infants
who developed cerebral palsy (n=10) and those who did not (n=33). INTERPRETATION:
At randomized controlled trial level, the scores of both the TIP and COPCA groups
did not differ in effect on motor outcome, as measured with the IMP. The analysis
of physiotherapeutic actions revealed associations between these actions and IMP
outcomes. However, the small sample size of this study precludes pertinent
conclusions.
CI - (c) The Authors. Journal compilation (c) Mac Keith Press 2011.

Langue : ANGLAIS