Areej Al-Abdulrahman
King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Saudi Arabia
Title: Neonatal early intervention physical therapy programs’ effectiveness of sensory-motor outcomes: a one year experience
Biography
Biography: Areej Al-Abdulrahman
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: The importance of early intervention programs' effectiveness is acknowledged worldwide. Based on its effectiveness Neonatal Early Intervention (EI) Physical Therapy (PT) Program was established one year ago, in King Abdullah Specialized Children's Hospital in Riyadh. The program starts by screening, evaluating and treating neonates during admission and continued after hospitalization discharge following in the Early Intervention Clinic in Outpatient Physical Therapy Department.
Purpose of the Study: The purpose of the study is to determine the effectiveness of implementing the EI Program starting from Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admission until 12-18 months, Post Conceptual age, on the Sensory-Motor performance after hospitalization discharge, until following the Early Intervention Clinic in Outpatient PT Department in one year duration.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Retrospectively all Medical charts were reviewed for all patients and data were collected and statistically analyzed by SPSS, for all patients included in the EI - PT Program ranging from birth until 12-18 months of age. Therefore, patients not included in the EI - PT program since NICU admission will be excluded from the study. Many factors, information and investigations were considered such as; diagnosis, respiratory support modalities, gestational age, post conceptual age, radiology outcomes, postural alignment, length of stay in hospital and the developmental milestone level. Objective measures used are; Osteopathic approach assessment and evaluation, General Movements (GM), Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). The treatment approaches utilized are; NE-O Osteopathic approach, Bobath concept, and family education.
Findings: The results of Neonatal Early Intervention Physical Therapy Program outcomes will be finalized in 4 months' time.
Conclusion & Significance: Some considerations as the co-relations between all factors and the collected data besides, the efficacy of Physical Therapy at the early age of intervention.
Recommendations: Based on the findings when completed and finalized in 4 months' time.