Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41513979›Full record

ArticlePediatric research2026

General movement based therapy to support neurodevelopment of preterm infants: a randomized clinical trial.

Anna Badura, Annika Dietz, Florian Zeman, Sarah Klarner, Luisa Ammon, Maria Waltner-Romen, Elke Griesmaier, Maike Wellmann, Verena Lehnerer, Sven Wellmann

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Article in Pediatric research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Anna BaduraDepartment of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John of God, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. Anna.badura@barmherzige-regensburg.de.
Annika DietzDepartment of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John of God, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Florian ZemanCenter for Clinical Studies, University Hospital of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Sarah KlarnerCenter for Clinical Studies, University Hospital of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Luisa AmmonDepartment of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John of God, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Maria Waltner-RomenDepartment of Pediatrics II (Neonatology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Elke GriesmaierDepartment of Pediatrics II (Neonatology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Maike WellmannDepartment of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John of God, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Verena LehnererDepartment of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John of God, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Sven WellmannDepartment of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John of God, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPreterm birth increases the risk of neurodevelopmental impairments, emphasizing the need for early interventions. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a General Movement (GM)-based intervention on infant neurodevelopment and parental mental health.

methodIn a prospective, randomized-controlled trial, very preterm infants (gestational age <32 weeks or birth weight <1500 g) were enrolled between October 1, 2021, and June 6, 2023. Infants received a three times daily GM-based treatment by trained parents over 10 weeks starting at 34 weeks PMA or standard care. Primary outcome was neurodevelopment until 2 years' corrected age, secondary outcomes included parental mental health and serum levels of brain damage biomarkers.

resultsSixty-six infants were randomized (32 control, 34 intervention). The median birth weight was 1243 g (IQR, 919-1623 g) in the control group and 1035 g (IQR, 853-1230 g) in the GM group. No significant group differences were observed for neurodevelopment outcome and parental mental health. Interestingly, all three infants displaying poor neuromotor features in the intervention group before treatment showed good neurodevelopment in the follow-up.

conclusionOur findings suggest a potential role of GM-based intervention in high-risk preterm infants. Future research should focus on improved participant selection and adherence. IMPACT: A General Movement (GM)-based early intervention starting at 34 weeks PMA, led by parents with telehealth support over 10 weeks from pediatric physiotherapists, was both feasible and well-received. Infant neurodevelopment until 2 years' corrected age and parental mental health were similar in both the intervention and control groups. The approach may be especially helpful for preterm infants who show early signs of neurodevelopmental challenges. As one of the first studies of its kind, this RCT adds valuable knowledge about GM-based therapy for very preterm infants. The results support the importance of personalized early interventions to meet the unique needs of each infant.

Identifiers

PMID41513979

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.