Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The effects of an early physical therapy intervention for very preterm, very low birth weight infants: a randomized controlled clinical trial.
A randomized controlled clinical trial was used to investigate effects of physical therapy (PT) intervention on motor outcome of infants born very preterm with very low birth weight (VLBW). ⋯ PT intervention does not significantly affect motor performance of infants born very preterm with VLBW at four months CA. Parental compliance and intervention frequency may have influenced the outcome. Preliminary evidence suggests that neonatal and early PT may reduce the incidence of motor delay among infants born very preterm with VLBW. Follow-up of this group is recommended to ascertain the long-term benefits of this type of early PT.