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Dissertation
The effect of parent education on the motor performance of premature infants and parent caregiving abilities
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University
May 2002
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00008514
Abstract
Physical therapists are active members of the medical team in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the Special Care Nursery (SCN) performing examination and interventions. This research project consists of two studies each examining the components of physical therapy. Physical therapists need to provide appropriate interventions to parents and their infants in the NICU and must use appropriate measurement tools during examination. The first study presented a model of family-centered care in the NICU to examine the effects of an individualized family-centered parent education program compared to providing parents general information on infant development. Parent caregiving abilities and preterm infant motor and postural control were examined. Twenty-five infant-parent dyads participated in this study. Results revealed parents in both groups increased their confidence levels in caregiving and parents in the family-centered group slightly improved their caregiving abilities compared to parents in the general information group although this was not significant. Infants whose parents received family-centered parent education showed fewer improvements in motor and postural control compared to infants whose parents received general information. Regardless of group, parents were satisfied with the parent education they received. The second study examined the responsiveness of the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) to changes in preterm infants and identified variables predictive of changes in TIMP scores. Twenty-five preterm infants in the NICU and SCN participated in this study. Results indicated that the TIMP is sensitive to changes in preterm infants, however, the TIMP does not discriminate infants based on a medical risk classification score. Infant variables associated with their effect on development did not predict changes in TIMP scores. Overall, parents were satisfied with the parent education they received. Both programs appear to have important information to provide to parents. Specific activities related to motor and postural control should also be added to parent education programs. The TIMP is sensitive to changes preterm infants make; however, the TIMP is not responsive to changes in preterm infants due to the lack of discrimination between risk groups.
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Details
- Title
- The effect of parent education on the motor performance of premature infants and parent caregiving abilities
- Creators
- Rachel Anne Unanue
- Contributors
- Sarah L. Westcott (Advisor) - Drexel University, Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University (1993-1996, 1998-2002)
- Awarding Institution
- Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xi, 172 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University (1993-1996, 1998-2002); Rehabilitation Sciences/Physical Therapy [Historical]; College of Nursing and Health Professions (2000-2002)
- Other Identifier
- 991021888852004721