Effects of a Treatment Program Based on the Bobath Concept After Hospital Discharge in Children Born Very Preterm

Summary

INTRODUCTION: This project is presented as a continuation of the one approved in 2019 (Code: UALBIO2019/013). Early Intervention is defined as all interventions, including prevention, carried out with children aged 0-6 years, their families, and their environment, in order to respond to what each child needs to advance in their development as early as possible.

Psychomotor Delay indicates a slow developmental trajectory in several areas. Premature infants frequently face a potential psychomotor delay, usually due to the immaturity associated with being born earlier than expected. Children born preterm account for 50% of functional diversity in the pediatric population, presenting sequelae in the perinatal period, in the short term, and in the long term. In a previous study conducted by our group, the importance of early follow-up and treatment for children born very preterm was demonstrated.

Neurodevelopmental disorders with motor impairments in children require physiotherapy treatment from the time of diagnosis, throughout early childhood intervention, and across the lifespan. The most prevalent condition is cerebral palsy, which is the leading cause of childhood disability. Its prevalence ranges from 1.5 to 3.0 per 1,000 live births, with no major changes observed in adolescent and adult populations, and with higher occurrence in males than females. Other important conditions due to their frequency and symptoms include congenital malformations and syndromes.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of advanced physiotherapy programs on development, activity, and participation in children receiving early intervention and presenting motor disorders.

METHODOLOGY: Clinical trial with experimental groups and one control group. Advanced physiotherapy programs based on evidence will be studied, carried out with and involving the family, and supported by specialized care.

The sample will be obtained from centers and associations collaborating with the University of Almería. Before conducting the study, informed consent will be requested from parents or legal guardians. Baseline assessments and follow-up measurements will be performed. Validated and relevant variables related to development and motor difficulties will be used. The data obtained during the project will be stored in a database.

Conditions

• Premature Baby 26 to 32 Weeks
• Premature Babies
• Neurodevelopment Treatment
• Neurodevelopment
• Motor Disorder

Interventions

OTHER

Bobath

This group will receive an intervention based on the Bobath Concept, following the Bobath Clinical Reasoning Framework (BCRF). This approach adopts a holistic, systems-science perspective, considering the dynamic interaction between body functions, activities, participation, and contextual factors according to the ICF model.

OTHER

Early Intervention

This group will receive standard pediatric physiotherapy commonly implemented in early intervention services for children with motor disorders. The treatment will follow conventional approaches with a more impairment-based focus

OTHER

Ordinary care

This group will receive ordinary care, defined as the standard protocol-based follow-up provided by the public health system, unrelated to Early Intervention physiotherapy services

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad de Almeria

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

24 Weeks

Max Age

32 Weeks

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-07-22

Primary Completion

2025-07-22

Completion

2025-09-22

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations