Does Prehabilitative Oromotor Stimulation Have Any Impact on Feeding Performance of Preterm Infants During Hospital Stay and in Early Infancy: Findings From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study investigates the impact of a prehabilitative oromotor stimulation, namely, premature infant oral motor intervention (PIOMI), on feeding performance in preterm infants during hospitalization and early infancy. In this randomized, blinded clinical trial, 130 preterm infants (26-32 weeks PMA) were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which received PIOMI, or the control group. PIOMI was administered twice daily for 5 minutes, approximately 15-20 minutes before feeding, starting at 30 weeks' gestation. Follow-up assessments were conducted until 6 months of corrected age. The results demonstrated that infants in the intervention group showed significantly improved feeding performance scores (p < .001), achieved independent oral feeding at lower body weights (p < .001), and had a shorter hospitalization period (p < .05). Additionally, a greater proportion of infants in the intervention group were on mothers' milk at discharge and sustained breastfeeding until 6 months of corrected age (p < 0.005). The findings highlight the effectiveness of PIOMI as a prehabilitative strategy to enhance feeding performance, reduce hospital stays, and promote sustained breastfeeding in preterm neonates.