Evaluation of The Effectiveness of The SAFE Early Intervention Program

Effect of SAFE Early Intervention Program on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes At 1 Year of Age in Infants at Risk of CP

In this study, it was aimed to examine the effect of SAFE, which is a sensory-based, activity-oriented early intervention approach applied in an enriched environment with family cooperation, on cognitive, language, motor and sensory development in 3-6 months old risky infants. 46 infants with neurodevelopmental risk, whose corrected age was 3 months, were included in the study. Infants were randomly divided into two groups. Infants in the treatment group were included in an early intervention program according to the SAFE approach. Infants in the control group were included in the family education program based on the principles of Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT). The intervention was performed for 12 weeks, and all infants were evaluated with Bayley Developmental Scale for Infants and Young Children III (Bayley III) by a blinded investigator before treatment (3rd months) after treatment (6th months) and 12th months.

Inclusion Criteria:• Corrected age of 3 months

• Any neurodevelopmental risk (perinatal stroke, perinatal asphyxia, HIE, GMK-IVK, PVL or gestational age of 32 and below)

Exclusion Criteria: • Having a congenital anomaly

• Having a genetic syndrome diagnosis (e.g. Down Syndrome)
• Parents do not speak Turkish