Feasibility study of early intervention provider confidence following a neurobehavioural intervention for high-risk newborns

Abstract

Study purpose: Early intervention (EI) can ameliorate neurobehavioural difficulties and parental psychosocial distress. Often, EI service providers are not trained to address the unique needs of the high risk parent–infant dyad. The purpose of this study was to describe provider confidence and knowledge following delivery of a neurobehavioural intervention for high-risk newborns. Methods: This feasibility study was a multi-site, randomised controlled trial of newborns referred to EI. The intervention group received weekly home visits by a service provider certified in the Newborn Behavioural Observation (NBO) – a neurobehavioural intervention. The control group received usual care. Eighteen EI providers completed the Index of Practitioner Knowledge and Skills (IPKS). Results: EI providers did not differ on socio-demographic characteristics, discipline, or experience between the intervention and usual care groups. In mixed linear regression models, the NBO group demonstrated higher confidence scores (mean difference = 2.2, 95% CI: 0.54, 3.87). Conclusion: Integrating a neurobehavioural intervention into EI service delivery may be associated with higher perceived confidence among service providers in their ability to work with high-risk newborns.

Keywords:

• neurobehaviour
• high-risk infants
• state early intervention programme
• service providers

Acknowledgements

The first author acknowledges funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Health and Society Scholars Program at University of Wisconsin-Madison. This study was carried with funding awarded to the second author by the Noonan Family Foundation. The authors are grateful to the staff and families who dedicated their time to participate in this study.