The Effect of the Movement Imitation Therapy in Preterm (MIT-PB) in Motor Behavior's Quality.

The Effect of the Movement Imitation Therapy for Preterm Babies (MIT-PB) on Motor Behavior Quality. Quasi-experimental Design.

This study aims to assess the effect of a parent-administered intervention program based on MIT-PB in preterm with abnormal general movements during the preterm period. We will describe the short and long-term differences between infants exposed to MIT-PB and infants who follow current standard care.

The quasi-experimental design has been planned to assess the effect of a physiotherapy program carried out in neonatal intensive care and at home during the first months of life. Preterm babies born before 32 weeks gestational age (GA) and/or with less than 1500g showing an abnormal General Movement Assessment (GMA) at 34-36 weeks will be included.

Standardized tests will be performed at baseline, at term, 44 weeks post-menstrual age (PMA), 54 weeks PMA, 6 months, and 12 months.

A qualitative study has been designed to assess the physiotherapy performance and parents' experience.

Three different Hospitals with similar care protocols and sizes will recruit the sample (n=36). The Intervention groups (n=18) will be located at Hospital Josep Trueta of Girona and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu and the control group (n=18) will be located at Hospital Parc Taulí of Sabadell (Barcelona).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Preterm infants born before 32w GA and less than 1500g weight.
• Infants who show Abnormal General Movements (CS-PR pattern) at 34-36w postmenstrual age (PMA).
• Families able to understand/speak Catalan, Spanish or English.
• Families willing to participate who have the informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Infants with congenital abnormalities and/or genetic disorders
• Infants with invasive ventilation or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) at 36 weeks PMA.
• Infants with Normal General Movements at 34-36 w PMA.
• Families not willing to participate.