Effects of a Physical Therapy Intervention on Motor Delay in Infants Admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Description

Study Aims Pilot study: Due to the large recruitment goal and length of the project, the study team/PIs will evaluate the first cohort of 6-10 participants to refine study procedures and study-related materials. If no major modifications are made to the protocol as a result of this evaluation, data from these participants will be included for analysis. Aim 1: Evaluate the efficacy of an early, evidence-based, clinical experience-based therapeutic intervention (from the NICU to 12-months corrected age) on improving motor function and reducing severity of motor delays in infants at 12-months corrected age. The investigators hypothesize that the intervention group will demonstrate an average 8-point difference (0.5 standard deviation) compared to the standard of care group. \[an 8-point difference is considered a clinically meaningful difference\] Aim 2: Evaluate the early effects (i.e., before 12 months) of a therapeutic intervention, provided from NICU to 12-months corrected age, on motor function and severity of motor delay. The Investigators hypothesize that a statistically significant higher percentage of infants in the intervention group will demonstrate improved motor function and reduced severity of motor delays, compared to the standard of care group-assessed using sensors, the NSMDA and TIMP-as early as 3-months corrected age. Aim 3: Evaluate whether an early intervention that focuses on caregiver engagement improves caregiver well-being. The invetigators hypothesize that an intervention that focuses on supporting and addressing the individual needs of the caregiver will improve caregiver well-being. The investigators will evaluate these effects using the PedsQL (Family Impact Module).

Conditions

Motor Delay, Premature Birth, Intraventricular Hemorrhage, Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy, Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Study Aims Pilot study: Due to the large recruitment goal and length of the project, the study team/PIs will evaluate the first cohort of 6-10 participants to refine study procedures and study-related materials. If no major modifications are made to the protocol as a result of this evaluation, data from these participants will be included for analysis. Aim 1: Evaluate the efficacy of an early, evidence-based, clinical experience-based therapeutic intervention (from the NICU to 12-months corrected age) on improving motor function and reducing severity of motor delays in infants at 12-months corrected age. The investigators hypothesize that the intervention group will demonstrate an average 8-point difference (0.5 standard deviation) compared to the standard of care group. \[an 8-point difference is considered a clinically meaningful difference\] Aim 2: Evaluate the early effects (i.e., before 12 months) of a therapeutic intervention, provided from NICU to 12-months corrected age, on motor function and severity of motor delay. The Investigators hypothesize that a statistically significant higher percentage of infants in the intervention group will demonstrate improved motor function and reduced severity of motor delays, compared to the standard of care group-assessed using sensors, the NSMDA and TIMP-as early as 3-months corrected age. Aim 3: Evaluate whether an early intervention that focuses on caregiver engagement improves caregiver well-being. The invetigators hypothesize that an intervention that focuses on supporting and addressing the individual needs of the caregiver will improve caregiver well-being. The investigators will evaluate these effects using the PedsQL (Family Impact Module).

Early Detection and Therapeutic Improvement of Motor Delay in High Risk Infants: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Effects of a Physical Therapy Intervention on Motor Delay in Infants Admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Condition
Motor Delay
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Chicago

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60611

Chicago

Northwestern Medicine Prentice Children's Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60611

Chicago

Children's Hospital at the University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60612

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * BW \<1500 grams
  • * Disorders of the central nervous system
  • * Brain injury (including but not limited to extra axial hemorrhage, any grade intraventricular or intraparenchymal hemorrhage, stroke, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), meningitis)
  • * HIE includes mild, moderate, severe exam on modified Sarnat exam, both cooled and non-cooled
  • * includes "at risk for HIE" with 10-minute Apgar \<7 plus pH\<7.15 or base deficit \>/=12.
  • * Brain developmental abnormalities (hydrocephalus, microcephaly, cortical dysgenesis)
  • * Cramped synchronous movements at term PMA
  • * Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) defined as need for respiratory support at 36 weeks postmenstrual age in an infant born at \<32 weeks of gestation.
  • * Medically stable AND able to start intervention between 34-48 weeks PMA.
  • * open wounds, skin condition precluding sensor placement
  • * immune deficiencies requiring protective isolation
  • * limb reduction defects
  • * followed primarily in another clinic (including but not limited to meningomyelocele and related conditions/trisomy 21)
  • * bleeding disorders or ongoing need for anticoagulation
  • * palliative or hospice care (for life limiting conditions including, but not limited to trisomy 18, 13)
  • * known visual impairment at the time of enrollment
  • * DCFS custody
  • * no English-speaking caregivers
  • * any other condition that would preclude participation in the study, as determined by the PI
  • * previously enrolled in competing randomized trial with developmental outcome variables

Ages Eligible for Study

33 Weeks to 48 Weeks

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab,

Arun Jayaraman, PT, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Study Record Dates

2026-12-31