Multisensory intervention in the NICU was implemented in a randomized study population of preterm infants ≤32 wk GA at birth with neurosonogram findings of grade 3-4 intraventricular hemorrhage &/or cavitary periventricular leukomalacia (CNS Injury). A stress-reduced environment was in place for all infants. The experimental group received a program of in-hospital Auditory, Tactile, Visual and Vestibular (ATVV) intervention sessions for 15 min. each, twice a day, 5 days/ week, for 3-6 weeks by trained nurses, beginning at 33 weeks postconceptional age after informed consent. Infants were polygraphically monitored for heart rate, respiratory rate, SpO2, temperature, color and behavioral state before, during, and after intervention. A matched group of infants with normal neurosonograms were compared, with and without ATVV. Infant groups were comparable with regard to Apgar scores (p>.78), GA at birth (p>.35), medical(Minde p>.70) and social factors (p>.05), except for fewer male intervention infants (p=02). Parents were trained regarding continuation of intervention at home. The infants were evaluated blindly in a multidisciplinary developmental follow-up program at 2, 4, 8, and 12 mo. corrected age: physical and neurological and motor assessment, Bayley mental and motor testing. A total of 39 infants were enrolled, 20 intervention, 19 control--22 infants have been evaluated thus far at 12 mo. Kruskal-Wallis analysis of percent CNS injured infants scoring < 50(moderate/severe delay) on the Bayley scales at 12 mo. revealed significantly fewer numbers in the intervention group (p<.05).Table

Table 1
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Conclusion: ATVV intervention can reduce the incidence of moderate/severe developmental delay.