Researcher(s)
- Abram Banoub, Biological Sciences, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Michele Lobo, Physical Therapy, University of Delaware
- Julie Orlando, Physical Therapy, University of Delaware
Abstract
The Effects of Play Education on Infant Positioning Using a Smart Garment: A Randomized Control Trial
Abram Banoub, Julie M. Orlando, Mariola Moeyaert, Michele A. Lobo
Introduction
Parents’ positioning of infants early in life impacts the development of future milestones. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a typical and an enhanced play education program on infant’s daily positioning behaviors using a using a smart garment.
Methods
Participants were typically developing (TD) infants or infants at risk/with developmental delays due to medical factors (risk) who were 1-7-months-old and at least one parent. Participants received enhanced (EE) or typical education (TE) and parents were instructed complete the play activities for 15 minutes per day for 4 weeks. The Get-Around-Garment, a validated and reliable smart garment, was worn while awake for two days around each of the 5 study visits over a 6-month period to evaluate infants’ position (supine, reclined, upright, inclined, or prone. Data intervals (i.e., periods when the sensor was turned on/off) with sustained constant acceleration were excluded. Position was normalized to percent of recorded time. Generalized linear mixed effects models compared change in position over time between the EEE and TE groups in relation to delay risk (typical or risk).d
Results
Of the 49 participants enrolled, 1 did not complete the intervention and 1 did not use the smart garment (TD: n = 33, Risk: n = 14; 3.5 ± 1.5 months of age). 419 intervals were collected; 25 were excluded. Mean interval durations were similar with an overall mean of 511±408 min. Across the 5 visits, infants at risk who received EE had significantly greater inclined time (difference of 8.193 t(163) = 2.466, p = 0.007, hedges g= 0.329) and significantly less supine time (difference of-7.11, t(163) = -2.84 p = 0.003, hedges g= -0.498).
Conclusion
Daily infant position was able to be measured through smart wearable sensor garments. Infants at risk of delays who received EE had different positioning patterns than infants who received TE suggesting that EE may impact infant experiences beyond the play activities.