Exploring the Correlation Between Physiological Stability and Oral Motor Development Scores Among Preterm Infants After Multisensory Stimulation
Published: 2025
Author(s) Name: Amrita A. Sivasanker, Pity Koul and Rajeev Kumar Thapar |
Author(s) Affiliation: Sharda School of Nursing Science and Research, Sharda Univ., Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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Abstract
Prematurity remains the leading cause of death among children under five years of age globally, with notable differences in survival outcomes between countries. Long-term consequences often include impairments such as vision and hearing loss, along with learning difficulties. Thus, early intervention programmes provided in NICU in the form of sensory or motor stimulation can help prevent long term disabilities. This study aimed to explore the correlation between selected physiological scores (i.e mean SPO2 rate and mean weight gain) in intervention and control group among preterm infants admitted in the NICU at Selected Hospital, Greater Noida. A total of 130 preterm infants were included in this quantitative research study. The result showed that in pretest in intervention group the mean oral development score, weight gain and SPO2 rate was 26.33+ 5.64, 1.84+ 0.39 and was 92.69+3.94 respectively. The coefficient of correlation calculated between oral development scores and selected physiological stability parameters i.e weight gain (r=0.19; p=0.11; p>0.05) and SPO2 rate (r=0.45; p=0.07; p>0.05). However, posttest III in intervention group the mean oral development score, weight gain and SPO2 rate was 31.49 + 3.28, 1.95+0.30 and 92.69+3.94 respectively. The coefficient of correlation calculated between oral development scores and selected physiological stability parameters i.e weight gain (r=0.24; p=0.05; p<0.05) and SPO2 rate (r=0.27; p=0.03; p<0.05). There was significant positive correlation was found between selected physiological stability scores and oral motor development scores in intervention group after the intervention. The study concluded that multisensory stimulation has significantly improved oral motor skills that positively impacted the oxygen saturation level as well as increased the weight of preterm infants. There is need for more protocols in routine care of preterm infants to improve physiological parameters and reduce hospital stays.
Keywords: Correlation, Multisensory stimulation, Oral motor development, Physiological stability, Preterm infants.
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