ERIC Number: EJ1431247
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Aug
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1056-263X
EISSN: EISSN-1573-3580
Movement Imitation Therapy for Preterm Babies (MIT-PB): A Novel Approach to Improve the Neurodevelopmental Outcome of Infants at High-Risk for Cerebral Palsy
Marina Soloveichick; Peter B. Marschik; Ayala Gover; Michal Molad; Irena Kessel; Christa Einspieler
Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, v32 n4 p587-598 2020
To improve the neurodevelopmental outcome in infants with high grade intraventricular haemorrhage and cramped-synchronised (CS) general movements (GMs). Four very preterm infants with intraventricular haemorrhage grade III (n = 3) or intraventricular haemorrhage with apparent periventricular haemorrhagic infarction (n = 1) were diagnosed with CS GMs at 33 to 35 weeks postmenstrual age. A few days later MIT-PB [Movement Imitation Therapy for Preterm Babies], an early intervention programme, was commenced: the instant an infant showed CS movements, the therapist intervened by gently guiding the infant's limbs so as to manoeuvre and smoothen the movements, thereby imitating normal GM sequences as closely as possible (at least for 10 min, 5 times a day, with increasing frequency over a period of 10 to 12 weeks). After a period of consistent CS GMs, the movements improved. At 14 weeks postterm age, the age specific GM pattern, fidgety movements, were normal in three infants, one infant had abnormal fidgety movements. At preschool age, all participants had a normal neurodevelopmental outcome. This report on four cases demonstrates that mimicking normal and variable GM sequences might have a positive cascading effect on neurodevelopment. The results need to be interpreted with caution and replication studies on larger samples are warranted. Nonetheless, this innovative approach may represent a first step into a new intervention strategy.
Descriptors: Physical Therapy, Movement Education, Infants, At Risk Persons, Cerebral Palsy, Imitation, Early Intervention
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2123/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A