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Abstract

Statement of the Problem: The importance of early intervention programs' effectiveness is acknowledged worldwide. Based on its effectiveness Neonatal Early Intervention (EI) Physical Therapy (PT) Program was established one year ago, in King Abdullah Specialized Children's Hospital in Riyadh. The program starts by screening, evaluating and treating neonates during admission and continued after hospitalization discharge following in the Early Intervention Clinic in Outpatient Physical Therapy Department. Purpose of the Study: The purpose of the study is to determine the effectiveness of implementing the EI Program starting from Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admission until 12-18 months, Post Conceptual age, on the Sensory-Motor performance after hospitalization discharge, until following the Early Intervention Clinic in Outpatient PT Department in one year duration. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Retrospectively all Medical charts were reviewed for all patients and data were collected and statistically analyzed by SPSS, for all patients included in the EI - PT Program ranging from birth until 12-18 months of age. Therefore, patients not included in the EI - PT program since NICU admission will be excluded from the study. Many factors, information and investigations were considered such as; diagnosis, respiratory support modalities, gestational age, post conceptual age, radiology outcomes, postural alignment, length of stay in hospital and the developmental milestone level. Objective measures used are; Osteopathic approach assessment and evaluation, General Movements (GM), Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). The treatment approaches utilized are; NE-O Osteopathic approach, Bobath concept, and family education. Findings: The results of Neonatal Early Intervention Physical Therapy Program outcomes will be finalized in 4 months' time. Conclusion & Significance: Some considerations as the co-relations between all factors and the collected data besides, the efficacy of Physical Therapy at the early age of intervention.

Biography

Areej Al-Abdulrahman has an experience of 16 years in Pediatric Physical Therapy, specialized in Neonatal and Early Intervention program establishment. This program’s guidelines include screening method, physical therapy referring criteria and categorization list; all established relying on experience, literature review and reliable and valid assessment instruments. This one-year EI program benefits allowed us to include many patients who need PT services, to be able to minimize the risk and complication of disabilities; good findings and outcomes is another major benefit from this plan. The parent's satisfaction and participation were improved. The no-show-rate was less with high commitment by parents to the home program.