Effect of early intervention on social interaction between mothers and preterm infants at 12 months of age: A randomized controlled trial

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Abstract

In a randomized controlled trial at 12-months of age, the effect of the Mother Infant Transaction Program was tested on social interaction between mothers and moderately and late preterm infants with gestational age  30.0 and <36 weeks. Ninety-three play sessions were videotaped and coded, 46 mothers–infants in the intervention group and 47 mothers–infants in the control group. The intervention mothers scored higher on maternal sensitivity/responsiveness (p = .05). Being a first-time mother was a moderator that enhanced the effects of the intervention. First-time mothers were more sensitive/responsive to their infant's cues (p = .01), and the dyads evinced higher level of synchrony (p = .02) as compared with experienced mothers. More positive mood was observed among their infants (p = .04). The findings suggest that the intervention contributes to better mother–infant interactions in moderately and late preterm infants of first-time mothers.

Research highlights

► Preterm infants-Randomized controlled trial-Early intervention-Videoobservation ► Effects on social interaction between mothers and preterm infants at 12 months ► Intervention mothers scored higher on maternal sensitivity/responsiveness ► Being first-time mother was a moderator that enhanced the effects of intervention. ► More positive mood was observed among infants of First-time mothers.

Section snippets

Background

Preterm birth is associated with a variety of social and cognitive delays and risk factors for adverse medical, psychosocial and behavioral outcomes (Minde, 2005, Kiechl-Kohlendorfer et al., 2009). The quality of early social interactions between parents and infants can impact later development (Beckwith and Rodning, 1996, Forcada-Guex et al., 2006, Smith et al., 2006), but to achieve social interaction of sufficient quality with preterm infants might be difficult. Preterm infants are less

Design, sample and setting

This study compared the effects of the MITP on different maternal and infant behaviors in a preterm intervention group and a preterm and randomized control group in a Level 3 hospital in Norway. Parents of preterm infants with ultrasound GA  30.0 and <36 weeks were consecutively recruited between January 2005 and December 2006. They were eligible if they could speak, read and write Norwegian, had no history of drug or alcohol abuse or severe psychiatric disorders, and if a hospital stay of

Observations of mother–infant interactions at 12 months

A total of 46 video observations in the intervention group and 47 observations in the control group were coded. When comparing the preterm groups the intervention mothers scored significantly higher on sensitivity/responsiveness (p = .048) (Table 4). Group differences of borderline statistical significance were found on maternal intrusiveness (p = .06), child positive mood (p = .07) and dyadic mutuality (p = .06), all in favor of the intervention group. No significant group differences were found on

Discussion

The developmental prognosis among preterm infants is influenced by the quality of early mother–infant interactions. In this randomized, controlled trial a significant effect of the Mother Infant Transaction Program was found in mothers’ sensitivity and responsiveness to preterm infant cues observed at 12 months. A similar but non-significant trend on some of the other variables also favoured the intervention group. The results suggest that being a first-time mother may be a condition that

Conclusion

Effective interventions may increase maternal sensitivity and contribute to a more optimal caretaking environment for fragile preterm infants. The present results showed a positive effect of MITP on important qualities of social interaction between mothers of moderately and late preterm infants at 12 months. Being a first-time mother seems to be a moderator that enhances the effects of the intervention. The intervention method has been assessed on differential populations in differential

Acknowledgments

Thanks to the research nurse Kari S. Halle for enrollment, allocation and assistance in data collecting, and the following neonatal nurses delivering the intervention: Signe Bandlien, Cecilie Braaten, Lars Erik Engen, Lene Grønvold, Gunn Inger Hoffart, Anne Marie Krokedal, Tonje Rød, Vigdis Skaug, Elin Storvik and Inger Johanne Tølløfsrud. Ph.D. Glenys A. Hamilton for statistical advice and Nihal Perera and Irene Syse for data management and monitoring. The study was approved by the Regional

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