Tummy time practice in the neuromotor development of premature newborns: a randomized clinical trial
Premature newborn, Early Stimulation, Motor Skills Disorders
Different interventions have been developed in the hope of organizing the neurological outcomes of premature newborns (PTNB), however, offering organized early care and considering parental participation seems to be an important alternative in this process. The objective of the study is to evaluate the effects of tummy time practice, on head control, in moderate to late preterm infants. This is a randomized, controlled, double-blind, crossover, controlled trial with PTNB below 2500g, which will be followed from 0 to 6 months of corrected age. The sample will consist of 62 preterm infants who will be randomized into a control group (n = 31) and an experimental group (n = 31), when they are discharged to the Follow-up clinic. Both will be monitored by the outpatient team, however PTNs randomized to the experimental group will also be instructed to perform the tummy time for 30 minutes daily which can be distributed throughout the day. An illustrative booklet will also be offered as support material for this group. The data will be analyzed by inferential analysis and hypothesis testing, considering an alpha equal to 5% for differentiation between groups. Mixed analysis of variance with repeated measures will be used to compare outcome measures between groups as well as to compare baseline, post-training and follow-up, it will be used to compare groups. It is believed that the practice Tummy time, strengthens the muscles of the head, neck and trunk necessary to overcome the force of gravity and to master motor skills early, such as trunk control and reach.