Investigation of the relationship between motor skill and sensory processing skill in preterm infants with motor impairment

In this study, motor skills and sensory processing skills of premature infants with and without motor impairment were compared. Infant Motor Profile (IMP) was used to determine the motor impairment of infants. A total of 40 infants with a corrected age of 7-18 months were included in this study. Participating infants were divided into two groups: 20 infants for the Research Group (infants with motor impairment) and 20 infants for the Control Group (infants without motor impairment). The infants' motor skills were evaluated with Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). For sensory processing skills, Test of Sensory Functions in Infants (TSFI) and Toddler Sensory Profile 2 (TSP-2) were used. Diffirences in IMP, AIMS, TSFI, and TSP-2 scores between participants with and without motor impairment were analyzed using the non-parametric Mann Whithney U test. When the Research Group and the Control Group were compared; in total score, adaptive motor functions, vestibular stimulus response, and visual-tactile integration scores of TSFI and in the sensory behavior, general process, oral sensory process sub-items, and seeking and avoiding quartiles scores of TSP-2 (p<0,05). When the relationship between motor skills and sensory processing skills of all infants included in the study was examined; a significant correlation was found between total score, adaptive motor functions, and visual-tactile integration of TSFI and oral sensory process and seeking quartile results of TSP-2 (p<0,05). According to the results of our study; premature infants with motor impairment have weaker sensory processing skills than their peers without motor impairment. Therefore, it is recommended to consider sensory processing skills and motor skills together in the evaluation and treatment of premature babies with motor involvement.