RELATION BETWEEN SENSORY PROCESSING, ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS AND AGE OF GAIT ACQUISITION IN PRETERM CHILDREN.

• Grant number: 17/17978-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2017
• End date: November 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Nelci Adriana Cicuto Ferreira Rocha
• Grantee: Ana Laura Belisario Marcos
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Background: Prematurity is a biological risk factor, which can lead to developmental disorders. Its influence on sensory processing, for example, becomes relevant in determining how the child develops and interacts with the environment, which is directly related to motor development and, consequently, to gait acquisition. In this context we also highlight, the environment influence on the development of preterm children once the lack of adequate stimuli can potentiate the biological risk of these population. Objective: To verify the influence of sensory and environmental characteristics, such as family income and maternal education on the age of gait acquisition of preterm children. Methods: 32 children with gestational age less than 37 weeks will be evaluated. Sensory modulation is assessed by interview with the child's caregivers, using the "Dunn Sensory Profile" and the home environment will be assessed with the "IT-Home" scale. Family income and maternal education will be assessed with a protocol for data collection developed for this study. Statistical Analysis: According to data distribution characteristics the appropriate correlation test between age of gait acquisition, Sensory Profile, IT-HOME scale, familiar income and maternal education will be applied. A significance level of 5% will be adopted.