Parental Participation in NICU-Based Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Speech and Language Therapy

Abstract

BackgroundParent involvement in neonatal care is beneficial to families and infant outcomes. Few studies have explored parental experiences of neonatal therapy participation. PurposeThis study had two purposes: 1) to explore parental attitudes and beliefs about participating in neonatal therapies, and 2) to identify barriers and facilitators to parental involvement and suggest ways to optimise neonatal therapy services. MethodsThe study design and data analysis were informed by constructivist grounded theory methods. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with nine mothers of children who had received neonatal therapy. FindingsAfter an early period of fear and powerlessness, a transition point occurred where the survival of their infant became more certain and parents were able to consider the future. At this point, participation in therapies was perceived to be more relevant.

A systematic synthesis of qualitative studies on parents’ experiences of participating in early intervention programs with their infant born preterm

“…The practical knowledge parents learned through therapeutic interventions contributed to reflections of their role as a parent ( Benzies and Magill-Evans, 2015 ), and helped parents be more comfortable in parenting their infant ( Lee et al, 2019 ; Edney and Mchugh, 2021 ; Van Den Hoogen et al, 2021 ). The analysis revealed that administering the intervention gave a liberating feeling of empowerment and an affirmation to their role as a parent ( Kynø et al, 2013 ; Benzies and Magill-Evans, 2015 ; Håkstad et al, 2016 ; Lee et al, 2019 ; Øberg et al, 2019 ; Edney and Mchugh, 2021 ; Van Den Hoogen et al, 2021 ; Ochandorena-Acha et al, 2022 ). Parents felt empowered through being the one in charge, being responsible for the caring for their infant and being the one promoting infant development ( Kynø et al, 2012 ; Håkstad et al, 2016 ; Øberg et al, 2019 ; Baraldi et al, 2020 ; Ochandorena-Acha et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Later, taking an active part in the intervention contributed to the feeling of being more capable of handling and playing with their infant ( Lee et al, 2019 ; Ochandorena-Acha et al, 2022 ). Involvement in the intervention was perceived as regaining control over their child’s destiny and helping their child develop ( Edney and Mchugh, 2021 ). Being the provider made them feel complete as a parent ( Lee et al, 2019 ; Øberg et al, 2019 ; Van Den Hoogen et al, 2021 ) and gave a touch of normalcy to the family ( Håkstad et al, 2016 ).…”

“…No additional articles were identified from the reference lists of the relevant articles. However, one article ( Edney and Mchugh, 2021 ) was identified through a recommendation at ResearchGate. No new articles were added after the update in September 2022.…”

“…As the rate was consistent with recommendations for qualitative meta-synthesis ( Chrastina, 2018 ), we considered the total inclusion as sufficient. One study was based on data from a focus group interview ( Kynø et al, 2013 ), another on a semi-structured telephone interview ( Edney and Mchugh, 2021 ), while the rest were individual qualitative semi-structured interviews ( Gravem et al, 2013 ; Benzies and Magill-Evans, 2015 ; Håkstad et al, 2016 ; Lee et al, 2019 ; Øberg et al, 2019 ; Baraldi et al, 2020 ; Van Den Hoogen et al, 2021 ; Ochandorena-Acha et al, 2022 ). A total of 193 parents of infants born preterm, from eight different countries, were represented in these articles.…”

Parent and Therapist Perceptions of the Feasibility, Acceptability, and Benefits of a Weekly Therapist-Led Massage Program for Extremely Preterm Infants in Neonatal Intensive Care

“…Ultimately, therapists did not see infants at a higher frequency than standard of care practice, but they enjoyed providing more intensive therapeutic care with parents through the TEMPO intervention. In alignment with best practice in clinical care [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 35 ], TEMPO provided the structure to ensure that parents were delivering recommended interventions at each stage of the infant’s development. Therapists felt that they were optimizing what they could offer the infant through regular interactions with parents.…”