Effect of goal-directed training to the level of trunk control in preterm infants

• Grant number: 19/05742-1
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): July 01, 2019
• Effective date (End): June 30, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Eloisa Tudella
• Grantee: Jucilene Batista Teixeira
• Home Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to verify the effect of goal-directed training to the level of trunk control in moderate to late preterm infants at the onset of reaching ability. It will be randomized controlled trial study. Twenty-two infants born to moderate to late preterm (greater than 32 and less than 37 weeks of gestational age) will participate in the study. Infants will be allocated into 2 groups: G1: control group (social training); G2: experimental group (trunk and reaching training).After to identify the onset of reaching, the infants will be submitted to 5-day assessment through the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo): 1) pre-training, before first training session performed by the therapist; 2) post-training 1, after the fifth training session; 3) post-training 2, after the twelfth training session; 4) follow-up 1, after seven days of the last assessments, during which period the infant will not receive any type of stimulus or training; 5) follow-up 2, after six months of follow-up 1. Both groups will be submitted to twelve training sessions, which six sessions will be performed by the physical therapist at the infants' home, and six sessions will be held by parentes/caregivers. The G2 will received the goal-direted training to the levelof trunk control and reaching, The infants will be stimulated into four functional activities performed on stable/unstable surfaces in different postures (proe, supine, sitting with support and standing positions), of according to the random practice condition. The G1 will be submitted to social training, which the infants will only positioned in the same postures of the goal-directed training, and the physical therapist/parentes will only Interact with the infants visually and verbally. For both trainings, the duration of the session will dependo on the behavioral state of the infant, but a minimum of five and a maximum of the repetitions will be stipulated. It is expected that the goal-direct training will positively influence the level of trunk control and also encourages the follow-up of trained skills.