The Effect of Sensorimotor Interventions on Feeding Readiness and Oral Feeding Success in Preterm Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Aim: This study aimed to examine the effect of sensorimotor interventions (SI) on feeding readiness and oral feeding success in preterm infants. Method: A parallel, prospective, and randomized controlled study. The study data were collected between 1 June 2020-1 June 2021 and study sample comprised 60 preterm infants with a gestational age of 30-33 weeks. A combined sensorimotor intervention, including Tactile/Kinesthetic Stimulation + Non-nutritive sucking (NNS), was applied to the intervention group. The Control group applied only a SI as NNS. Results: T-POFRAS feeding readiness scores were higher in the intervention group (p = 0.000). The feeding success level of the intervention was higher. Although hospital discharge time and transition to full breastfeeding of the intervention group were shorter, it was not statistically significant (p = 0.078). Conclusion: It was found that combined SIs were effective in enhancing oral feeding readiness and feeding success levels in preterm infants.