Background and aim: Moderate preterm (MP) birth is associated with an increased risk of developmental problems. However, post-discharge support for this group is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a post-discharge parenting program (TOP program) for MP infants. Three feasibility dimensions were evaluated (1) recruitment capability and compliance, (2) intervention acceptability, and (3) limited efficacy testing. Methods: A group of MP infants with a gestational age (GA) between 320/7‐346/7 weeks and their parents received six home visits by a TOP interventionist until 6 months corrected age (CA). A pre-posttest intervention design with quantitative and qualitative measures was used. Recruitment capability and compliance, acceptability, and satisfaction with the intervention were evaluated using a questionnaire, checklists, interviews, and a focus group. Infant socio-emotional development, parental distress, self-efficacy, and reflective functioning were measured with questionnaires. Observation measurements were used for infant motor development and parental sensitivity. Results: Thirty-two families completed the six home visits. The satisfaction rate (scale 0–10) was remarkably high (Mean 9.4, range: 8–10). Parents reported that the program was suitable, enhanced their understanding of their infants' developmental needs, and increased their self-efficacy. The infants showed age-appropriate motor and socio-emotional development post-intervention. Parental self-efficacy, reflective functioning, and sensitivity improved from pre to post intervention, with small to large effect sizes. Conclusion: The study demonstrated high compliance, acceptability, and satisfaction with the TOP program for MP infants with promising infant and parent outcomes. This study contributes to the preparatory work prior to a larger scale evaluation and dissemination.
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This thesis focuses on topics such as preterm birth, variation in gross motor development, factors that influence (premature) infant gross motor development, and parental beliefs and practices. By gaining insight into these topics, this thesis aims to contribute to clinical decision-making of paediatric physiotherapists together with parents, and with that shape early intervention.
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BACKGROUND AND AIMSParents of preterm born infants experience challenges when transitioninghome, including the struggle to feel confident in their capacity to parent.Attuned information provision is a prerequisite for self-efficacy and empowerment and has been linked to positive parenting outcomes. The internet is an important source to obtain information regarding topics like prematurity, development and specific health problems. However, parents experience problems to find and understand appropriate health information with respect to their preterm born infant. Especially parents with low health literacy skills. Therefore our aim is to develop an inclusive digital information platform for and in cocreation with parents of premature infants and paediatric physical therapists (eTOP).METHODSTo generate ideas and content for eToP module, we first conducted interviewswith parents (n=10) and performed three online co-creation sessions with parents (n=14) and paediatric physical therapists (N=8). The data were analyzed through an inductive thematic approach. The analyses resulted in several main topics. With respect to these topics, experts were consulted and asked to generate text-based information content. The information content was then reviewed by the research team and included in the first prototype of the eTOP module.RESULTS11 themes were identified to be important, including general health issues,motor development, regulation, feeding, sleeping, prematurity, generaldevelopment, long term outcomes, parenthood, going back to work andprofessionals.CONCLUSIONSBased on the topics we developed the first version of the eTOP module. Inthe next two months we will develop and test a second version which willbe presented at the EAPS congress.
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