Short-term effects of multimodal stimulation on neuromotor behaviour and neonatal pain among hospitalized preterm infants: A feasibility, non-blinded randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Preterm infant experiences neuromotor disturbances and neonatal pain during NICU stay. Optimal brain development and pain tolerance require both sensory and motor experiences. We aimed to explore the effect of multimodal stimulation (MMS) including multi-sensory and movement therapy on neuromotor behaviour and neonatal pain among hospitalized preterm infants. METHODS: 32 recruited preterm infants [gestational age (GA): 28 to 36 weeks] by convenience sampling technique for pre-test-post-test control group, single-center randomized controlled study were randomly allocated into two groups, MMS group, and control group. MMS group received the interventions for 5 days period, totalling five sessions with 30 minutes/session. Infant Neurological International Battery (INFANIB), Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS), weight, length, and Occipitofrontal circumference (OFC) were recorded at baseline and 6th day to analyze the changes observed neuromotor behaviour, neonatal pain, and changes in the anthropometric parameters respectively. RESULTS: GA, weight, length and OFC of preterm infants recruited were, 34.4±2 weeks, 2.11±0.48 kg, 45±3.8 cm and 32.3±1.7 cm respectively. INFANIB and NIPS change scores in MMS group were [4 (2, 6); p = 0.001] and NIPS scores [2 (2,3); p < 0.001] respectively when compared to INFANIB [- 4 (- 6, - 2); p = 0.001] and NIPS scores [1 (- 1,1); p = 0.778] in control group. Significant difference p < 0.001 in INFANIB and NIPS scores while non-significant difference in weight (p = 0.166), length (p = 0.443) and OFC (p = 0.413) were observed between the groups. CONCLUSION: Administration of MMS has a positive clinically significant impact on neuromotor behaviour and neonatal pain on preterm infants.

Neonatal aquatic physiotherapy in neonatal intensive care units: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic benefits of neonates undergoing neonatal aquatic physiotherapy (NAPT) are evident from the available literature. However complied report on NAPT is not yet available. Hence, we have mapped the available interventions to treat neonates admitted in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) using NAPT in a scoping review. METHOD: Six databases which includes, MEDLINE/PubMed, SCOPUS, PEDro, CINHAL, EBSCO and Cochrane were searched with predefined keywords specific to or related to NAPT interventions from 1983 to August, 2020 for the full-text English language articles. RESULTS: A total of 6163 relevant articles were identified from the search process. After duplicates were removed, 6146 articles were screened for inclusion, leaving 809 articles assessed for eligibility criteria. Six (n = 6) articles met all criteria and were included in the final qualitative synthesis. CONCLUSION: NAPT may be an effective intervention to normalize the muscle tone, to promote active movements, postural organization, improves sleep pattern and quality, promotes the thermal and cardiorespiratory adaptations, and moreover reduces neonatal pain among the neonates admitted in NICUs.

Reaction time norms as measured by ruler drop method in school-going South Asian children: A cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to estimate normative range for reaction time using ruler drop method for school-going South Asian children between 6 and 12 years of age. A cross-sectional study was used to evaluate the reaction time for 204 children. Normal values for each age group were obtained. The results of multiple linear regressions showed a decrease in the reaction time values with age, and a significant change occurring between six and eight years of age. No difference in reaction time was obtained between boys and girls. Ruler drop method is an easy to use test and the results of this study provide a normative data for age groups 6-12 years ranging from 214.2ms to 248.8ms. These values can serve as a reference to screen children with delayed reaction time.