Effects of an early intervention program by the ICF model on the neuropsychomotor development and quality of life in babies in daycare

ABSTRACT

This study aims at checking the effects of an early intervention program (EIP) on the neuropsychomotor development (NPMD) and quality of life (QoL) of 4–18 months old babies attending daycare, following the biopsychosocial (BPS) model of health and the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF). It was a quasi-experimental cross-over study, with the evaluations (NPMD and QoL) and interventions (locomotor, stabilizer and manipulative in a circuit format) of 66 babies carried out in the daycare, following an EIP, twice a week, during 4 weeks. The EIP for favoured motor behaviours acquisition, demonstrating that the percentage of babies with risk/delay decreased just after the EIP and positive effects were identified in Physical Capacity in QoL. It is concluded that the proposed EIP program for 4–18 months old infants in daycare showed positive effects on NPMD and QoL, including domains of ICF of function, activity and participation.

KEYWORDS:

• Child development
• early intervention
• infants
• motor development

Aknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Municipal Secretary of Education of Curitiba (Paraná-Brazil) and CAPES for granted support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) –Finance Code 001.

Notes on contributors

Tainá Ribas Mélo

Tainá Ribas Mélo Ph.D. in Physical Activity and Health by the postgraduate program in Physical Education of the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), degree in Physiotherapy by UNIOESTE and specialist in intervention in neuropediatrics by UFSCar. Has experience in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses and research focused on child development and public health.

Luize Bueno de Araujo

Luize Bueno de Araujo is Ph.D. student in physical activity and health by postgraduate program in Physical Education of the Federal University of Parana (UFPR), Brazil. Master in motor behavior by postgraduate program in Physical Education of UFPR. Improvement in Physical Rehabilitation at the Association for Assistance to Disabled Children (AACD). Professional Specialist in Neurofunctional physiotherapy in children and adolescentes (COFFITO/ABRAFIN). She teaches postgraduate courses in neurological physiotherapy. Has experience in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses and research focused on child development.

Manoela de Paula Ferreira

Manoela de Paula Ferreira Ph.D. student of the Graduate Program in Physical Education from the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR). Degree in Physiotherapy at UFPR and Dance at the Faculty of Arts of Paraná. Has experience as a teacher for the Physiotherapy and Pedagogy courses. Develops research projects for people with Parkinson's Disease, Dance, Hydrotherapy, Complementary Therapies, and infant development.

Vera Lúcia Israel

Vera Lúcia Israel is professor at the Department of Physical Therapy and for postgraduate program in Physical Education of the UFPR, graduated in Physical Therapy and Physical Education. Ph.D. and Master’s Degree in Special Education at Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), acting on the following subjects: Aquatic Physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, evaluation in Physiotherapy, profession, human development, Neurofunctional and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, Quality of Life and Functionality. He has conducted research involving hydrotherapy, hydrothermalism, child and adolescent health and education, early childhood stimulation, International Classification of Functioning and Human Health, Aquatic Physical Therapy in Parkinson's disease.