The role of the family in early intervention of preterm infants with abnormal general movements.

Objective: To determine the effect of family-based intervention on motor function in preterm infants.

Methods: This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial between August 2015 and September 2016. Forty-two preterm infants were randomized and split equally between the family-based intervention group, composed of a physiotherapeutic and a familial component (8 males, 8 females; mean age 91+/-3.09 days), and the traditional early intervention group (8 females, 8 males, mean age: 91.06+/-2.4 days). Both groups received a treatment program based on a neurodevelopmental approach during 3- to 12-months-old. The groups were evaluated at corrected ages of the third, sixth, ninth, twelfth, and 24th months using the Bayley Scale of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III).

Results: Within-group changes over time were statistically significant using multivariate tests of fine motor (Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA); F=1515.27, p less than 0.001) and gross motor (MANOVA; F=1950.59, p=0.001) development. However, there was no interaction between groups in fine (MANOVA; F=0.027, p=0.872) and gross motor development (MANOVA; F=0.022, p=0.883).

Conclusion: The early intervention approaches might support fine and gross motor function development in preterm infants in the first year of life.