Article

Infants with very low birth weight (VLBW) are at increased risk for
motor deficits, which may be reduced by early intervention programs. For
detection of motor deficits and to monitor intervention, different assessment
tools are available. It is important to choose tools that are sensitive to
evaluate the efficacy of intervention on motor outcome.
The purpose of
this study was to compare the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and the
Psychomotor Developmental Index (PDI) of the Bayley Scales of Infant
Development-Dutch Second Edition (BSID-II-NL) in their ability to evaluate
effects of an early intervention, provided by pediatric physical therapists, on
motor development in infants with VLBW at 12 months corrected age (CA). DESIGN:
This was a secondary study in which data collected from a randomized controlled
trial (RCT) were used. METHODS: At 12 months CA, 116 of 176 infants with VLBW
participating in an RCT on the effect of the Infant Behavioral Assessment and
Intervention Program were assessed with both the AIMS and the PDI. Intervention
effects on the AIMS and PDI were compared. RESULTS: Corrected for baseline
differences, significant intervention effects were found for AIMS and PDI scores.
The highest effect size was for the AIMS subscale sit. A significant reduction of
abnormal motor development in the intervention group was found only with the
AIMS. LIMITATIONS: No Dutch norms are available for the AIMS. CONCLUSIONS: The
responsiveness of the AIMS to detect intervention effects was better than that of
the PDI. Therefore, caution is recommended in monitoring infants with VLBW only
with the PDI, and the use of both the AIMS and the Bayley Scales of Infant
Development is advised when evaluating intervention effects on motor development
at 12 months CA.

Langue : ANGLAIS