Improvements in babies’ neuropsychomotor development after family-centered Kids Intervention Therapy – Aquatic Environment (KITE): biopsychosocial approach

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to verify the effects on 4- to 18-month-old babies’ NPMD after the family-centered Kids Intervention Therapy – Aquatic Environment (KITE) programme. This quasi-experimental study involved 61 families. The NPMD was assessed with Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), Denver II Developmental Screening Test, context assessment with questionnaire and Affordance in the Home Environment for Motor Development – Infant Scale (AHEMD-IS), and quality of life (QOL) assessment with Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Infant Scales (PedsQL™). 24 babies in the intervention group (IG) participated in the KITE session twice a week for 4 weeks. 37 children participated in the control group. The IG sample had improved NPMD in post-intervention (p = 0.001) and retention (p = 0.002), with a large intervention effect (η = 0.178/0.156). The IG improved in the QOL physical capacity domain (p = 0.023), with a medium effect (d = 0.573). There were no differences between the groups regarding the stimulation received at home, which reinforces the effects of the KITE. It is concluded that the KITE had positive effects on the NPMD and QOL physical capacity domain in the participating.

KEYWORDS:

• Child development
• early intervention
• hydrotherapy
• International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Financing information

This paper was conducted with support from CAPES – Finance Code 001.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by CAPES [Grant Number 001].

Notes on contributors

Luize Bueno de Araujo

Luize Bueno de Araujo contributed to project conceptualization, data collection, programme application, data analysis and interpretation, writing, and approval of the final version of the article; Tainá Ribas Mélo contributed to project conceptualization, data collection, assessment of participants, writing and approval of the final version of the article; Vera Lúcia Israel contributed to data collection, programme application, project review, writing and approval of the final version of the article.