Multisensory Intervention for Preterm Infants Improves Sucking Organization. (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Medoff-Cooper, Barbara; Rankin, Kristin; Li, Zhuoying; Liu, Li; White-Traut, Rosemary; Dowling, Donna
• Is Part Of: Advances in neonatal care. Volume 15:Number 2(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: Newborn infants -- Medical care -- Periodicals; Newborn infants -- Diseases -- Nursing -- Periodicals; Premature infants -- Hospital care -- Periodicals; 618.9201
• DOI: 10.1097/ANC.0000000000000166
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1536-0903

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Background</title> <p>Premature infants are at risk for difficulties in feeding, social interaction, and growth. Many premature infants exhibit a lower capacity for self-regulation, resulting in less behavioral alertness and hypersensitivity to stimulation. Feeding is critically important because it is a primary factor for infant growth and a major concern for both parents and clinicians.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Purpose</title> <p>The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate sucking organization in premature infants following a preterm infant multisensory intervention, the Auditory, Tactile, Visual, and Vestibular (ATVV) intervention.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Methods:</title> <p>A convenience sample of 183 healthy premature infants born 29-34 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) enrolled. Sucking organization was measured at baseline, then weekly, during the infant's hospital stay.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results:</title> <p>A quadratic trend was observed for number of sucks, sucks per burst, and maturity index with the intervention group increasing significantly faster by day 7 (model estimates for group × day: β= 13.69, <italic>P</italic> < .01; β = 1.16, <italic>P</italic> < .01; and β= 0.12, <italic>P</italic> < .05, respectively). Sucking pressure increased linearly over time, with significant between-group differences at day 14 (β= 45.66, <italic>P</italic> < .01).</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Implications for Practice:</title> <p>The ATVV infants exhibited improved sucking organization during hospitalization, suggesting that the ATVV intervention improves maturation of oral feeding.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Implications for Research:</title> <p>Further research that includes 2 or more tests, delivered the same day and/or over consecutive days, will provide researchers and clinicians a more sensitive indicator of maturational changes in feeding behaviors.</p> </sec> </abstract>