Oral motor intervention accelerates time to full oral feeding and discharge

Background: A Survival rate in early preterm infants has increased over the last 30 years, but many of these infants have medical and developmental problems. Difficulty with feeding and poor nutrition complications are common, which contribute to their readmission and morbidity. Objective: To purpose of this study was to assess whether an oral motor stimulation intervention can decrease the time to achieve full oral feeding and shorten the length of hospitalization in preterm infants. Design and Methods: Seventy-five preterm infants born at 30 to ≤ 32 weeks gestational age were randomly assigned to three groups to assess intervention effects. Two groups received the intervention once per day with varying different intervention doses across time, while the control group received a sham intervention. Results: The time needed to reach full oral feeding was significantly different among groups (P <0.0001). Infants who received the intervention from initiation of tube feedings until full oral feeding (high dose) gained full oral feedings and were discharged from the hospital earlier than the low dose and control groups (P = 0.0001). Infants in the high dose group were discharged 6 days earlier than controls and 4 days earlier than the low dose group. Conclusion: Oral motor stimulation intervention accelerated the time to full oral feeding and decreased the length of hospital stay.