Two infant stimulation approaches for parents’ action in early preterm infant care: An exploratory study

There are some studies about diferents typs of sensory-motor stimulation for preterm infants. Traditionally the stimulation is done directively, in which the physiotherapist is the center of the process. However, a series of research works have drawn attention to the importance of babies' protogonism for their motor development, which implies an orientation to parents. This study investigated two approaches of sensory-motor stimulation for parents to perform to their preterm infants. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of two different stimulation approaches in the development of preterm infants. One approach was directive, in which parents have performed a strict order of movements. The second approach was indirective, in which parents were oriented to provide a rich context for sensory-motor stimulation so that infants could experience the association between their movements and environmental consequences. Seventeen preterm infants accompanied by their caregivers were divided into two groups: Directive Group, n=10; and Indirective Group, n=7. Infants’ development was followed for over six months by the Alberta Scale. Although no differences were identified between the groups over six months of intervention in the different dimensions of the Alberta scale. After the intervention, the indirective group reached more advanced stages of development than the directive group, suggesting positive influence of an enriched environment on preterm infant development. Freedom for the child and an environment in which he is a protogonist, does not prejudice the intervention of physiotherapy on the child's motor development.