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Abstract

Objectives: 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 <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.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

101

Last Page

109

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