Investigation of the effectiveness of family collaborative physiotherapy programs applied to high-risk infants

Abstract

Background: The inclusion of families in intervention programs for infants may be more effective in ensuring adherence and positive outcomes. Approaches that include natural and enriched environments that provide communication and family interaction are important in the rehabilitation of high-risk infants.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of Family Collaborative Approach (FCA) and Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT)-based family training.

Methods: High-risk infants (n = 63) with a mean age of 32.60 ± 4.53 months received early intervention for 12 weeks. Prechtl's General movements (GMs) assessment, Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination (HNNE), Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE), BAYLEY-III Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, and Third Addition (BSID-III) were performed.

Results: Significant differences between groups were found in HINE scores at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th months (p ≤ .028), and in BSID-III scores at the 6th month (cognitive, language, and motor) (p < .001) and the 12th month (language) (p = .031). There was significant difference between NDT and control group in 3rd month HINE scores and Reflex&Reactions scores (p ≤ .021). FCA group and NDT group was significantly different from control group in 6th month HINE (p = .032) and 12th month HINE scores (p = .007). FCA group significantly different from NDT group (p ≤ .002) and control group (p < .001) in 6th month BSID-III cognitive, language, and motor scores. There was significant difference between FCA and control group in 12 month BSID-III language scores (p = .024).

Conclusions: Early physiotherapy interventions were effective in high-risk infants and FCA program was superior to NDT.

Keywords: Hammersmith infant neurological examination; High-risk infant; early intervention; family collaboration; general movements; physiotherapy.