DEVELOPMENT AND EFFICACY OF SEMI STRUCTURED SENSORY ENRICHMENT INTERVENTION IN PREMATURE INDIAN INFANTS

This study aimed to find out the efficacy of developed semi structured sensory enrichment intervention over premature Indian infants an early first year of life for their sensory development . A pre-/post-test design was used on fifty premature infants from a low socioeconomic setting in specialized NICU setup into one group after being matched by corrected age and inclusion criteria by convenient sampling . Before and after the intervention, the preterm infants sensory processing functions were evaluated using the Infant/ Toddler Sensory Profile (ITSP). The preterm infants underwent an eight weeks of sensory enrichment intervention. Semi- structure sensory enrichment intervention had a positive effect on the sensory processing and development of premature Indian infants, especially in terms of Sensory development. The feasibility of the identification of sensory process¬ing issues in the early years of life should be highlighted, as it favors early referral for intervention. The purpose of this early sensory enrichment intervention may help NICU graduate infants later in their life in terms of physical & mental development age appropriately . Awareness about their family members & health care professionals how early stimulation important for infants. Semi- structure sensory enrichment intervention at an early age enhances the over all developmental progress of premature infants. KEYWORDS:Sensory Enrichment intervention, Preterm infants, Sensory processing