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Background Family-centered intervention for preterm infants has shown short- to medium-term developmental benefits; however, the neurological effects of intervention have rarely been explored. Objective The objectives of this study were to examine the effect of a family-centered intervention program (FCIP) on neurophysiological functions in preterm infants with very low birth weight (VLBW; birth weight of < 1500 g) in Taiwan, to compare the effect of the FCIP with that of a usual-care program (UCP), and to explore the FCIP-induced changes in neurobehavioral and neurophysiological functions. Design This was a multicenter, single-blind randomized controlled trial. Setting The study took place in 3 medical centers in northern and southern Taiwan. Participants Two hundred fifty-one preterm infants with VLBW were included. Intervention The FCIP group received a family-centered intervention and the UCP group received standard care during hospitalization. Measurements Infants were assessed in terms of neurobehavioral performance using the Neonatal Neurobehavioral Examination–Chinese version, and their neurophysiological function was assessed using electroencephalography/event-related potentials during sleep and during an auditory oddball task during the neonatal period. Results The FCIP promoted more mature neurophysiological function than the UCP, including greater negative mean amplitudes of mismatch negativities in the left frontal region in the oddball task in all infants, lower intrahemispheric prefrontal-central coherence during sleep in infants who were small for gestational age, and higher interhemispheric frontal coherence during sleep in those who were appropriate for gestational age. Furthermore, interhemispheric coherence was positively associated with the total neurobehavioral score in preterm infants who were appropriate for gestational age (r  = 0.20). Limitations The fact that more parental adherence strategies were used in the FCIP group than in the UCP group might have favored the intervention effect in this study. Conclusions Family-centered intervention facilitates short-term neurophysiological maturation in preterm infants with VLBW in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Increasing evidence shows common motor deficits associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that can relate to impaired planning and control processes of the sensorimotor system. Catching is a fundamental motor skill that requires coordination between vision, posture, and arm movements. Although postural control and ball catching have been shown to be impaired in children with ASD, previous studies have not investigated how these components are integrated. Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the sensorimotor control of arm movements and postural adjustments during ball catching in children with and without ASD. Design This study employed a cross-sectional design. Methods Fifteen children with ASD (mean [SD] age = 8.8 [1.2] years; 12 boys) and 15 age- and sex-matched typically developing children participated in this study. Children were asked to catch a ball rolling down a ramp in 6 test conditions in which visual inputs and ramp direction were manipulated to provide different sensory conditions and postural demands. Results Compared with their typically developing peers, children with ASD had increased difficulties catching balls, especially those from lateral directions. They less often used visual information to plan for catching motion, demonstrated fewer and delayed anticipatory postural adjustments, and exhibited increased corrective control. Limitations The sample excluded children with intellectual disability and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders that might reduce the generalizability to the whole ASD population. Conclusions Our results suggest that motor difficulties present in children with ASD can result from compromised sensorimotor integration in planning and control of movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Family-centered care for preterm infants in Western societies has yielded short- to medium-term benefits. However, the intervention effects have rarely been validated in Eastern societies. Objective. The aim of this study was to examine whether a family-centered intervention program (FCIP) could improve the short-term medical and neurobehavioral outcomes in preterm infants with very low birth weight (VLBW; a birth weight of <1,500 g) in Taiwan over the outcomes seen with a usual care program (UCP). Design. This was a multicenter, single-blind, randomized controlled trial study. Setting. Three medical centers in northern and southern Taiwan were the locations for the study. Participants. The participants were 251 VLBW preterm infants without severe perinatal complications. Intervention. The infants were randomly assigned to receive the FCIP or the UCP during hospitalization. Measurements. Infant morbidities, feeding, growth, and neurobehavioral performance were evaluated during the neonatal period. Parental adherence to interventions was measured in the FCIP group. Results. The FCIP promoted earlier full enteral feeding (β = -1.1 weeks; 95% CI = -1.9 to -0.2 weeks) and hospital discharge (β = -0.6 week; 95% CI = -1.1 to -0.1 weeks), greater weight gain (β = 3.3 g/d; 95% CI = 0.1 to 6.6 g/d), and better neurobehavioral performance than the UCP (β = 1.2 points; 95% CI = 0.2 to 2.3 points). Furthermore, a higher degree of parental motivation in interventions, goal attainment, and comprehensiveness of home activities was significantly associated with greater effects in infants' neurobehavioral performance and weight gain (r = .20-.31; all Ps < .05). Limitations. The findings may not be generalized to preterm infants with severe perinatal diseases and parents with a low level of interest in interventions. Conclusions. Family-centered care facilitated short-term medical and neurobehavioral outcomes in VLBW preterm infants in Taiwan; the effects were likely achieved through parental adherence to interventions. The designated strategies may be considered in a future launch of family-centered care in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]