Kids Intervention Therapy - Aquatic Environment (KITE) for babies 4 to 18 months old, by following the International Classification of Functioning (ICF): clinical trial protocol

ABSTRACT

Abstract Introduction: the biopsychosocial (BPS) model from the perspective of the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) agrees with the current theories regarding child development. They state the interdependence between the individual's relations, environment and received stimuli. The early interventions, particularly in the aquatic environment (AE), present gaps concerning their systematization, above all in their being in accordance with the ICF. Objectives: to describe an ICF-based aquatic early intervention program, named KITE, for the neuropsychomotor development (NPMD) of typical, at-risk and/or delayed babies 4 to 18 months old. Methods: the KITE is a program systematized on the AE, centered on the family and the daycare environment; it takes place twice a week, lasting for 4 weeks, in 45- to 60-minute sessions. The assessments and interventions are systematized by following the ICF. For the main outcome on the NPMD, the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and the Denver Developmental Screening Test II (DDST-II) are used, and as the secondary outcome on the stimulation received, quality of life and aquatic skills, the Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development - Infant Scale (AHEMD-IS), the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) and the Aquatic Functional Assessment Scale - Baby (AFAS Baby) are used, respectively. Conclusion: This study has presented tools for the application of a clinical trial through the KITE for the NPMD of babies, systematized and based on the BPS perspective of the ICF, and discussed according to the neuroplastic evidence of the child development.