A review of 13 studies looked at how different types of sensory input affect preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. Researchers compared a multisensory approach, which targets two or more senses at once, against standard care or treatments that only target one sense.
The results showed that babies receiving multisensory interventions had significantly better neurodevelopmental outcomes than those who received standard care or single-sensory treatments. The data indicated a notable improvement in these developmental markers for the infants involved in the study.
While most of the care took place in the hospital, some studies included follow-up care after the babies were discharged. Because this was a review of several different trials, it provides a broader look at how multisensory methods might help early development. You should talk with your medical team to see if these types of interventions are appropriate for a specific infant's needs.
Common questions
What is a multisensory intervention?
A multisensory intervention involves providing stimuli that target two or more senses at the same time. In this study, these interventions were compared to standard care or treatments that only targeted one sense. The goal is to provide a more comprehensive sensory experience for preterm infants in the NICU.
How does multisensory care help preterm babies?
The analysis of 13 studies found that infants receiving multisensory interventions had significantly better neurodevelopmental outcomes than those receiving standard care. The results showed a positive effect size, suggesting these methods may support better development for infants born prematurely.
Where did these interventions take place?
Most of the interventions occurred within the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). However, it is important to note that two of the studies included follow-up care that continued after the infants were discharged from the hospital.
