Background: Premature infants often have feeding difficulties leading to morbidity or developmental co-morbidities. Premature infant oral motor intervention (PIOMI), has shown the positive effects on feeding progression of the premature infants. PIOMI with the massage technique, may help in improving oral motor activity, weight gain in preterm infants along with better neurobehavioral organization. The study was done to analyse effect of this combined protocol on achieving oral motor control and Neurobehavioral state regulation and evaluate its efficacy against PIOMI.Methods: A total 72 clinically stable infants admitted in premature care unit, fulfilling inclusion criterion were enrolled. They were allocated in control and experimental group. Infants from control group received PIOMI and experimental group received PIOMI with massage therapy (M technique), for 10 minutes each day. Data was collected for oral motor abilities, behavioural assessment, weight and day of achieving full feeds.Results: Gestational age at full feeds was 33.65 weeks and 32.89 weeks in control and experimental groups respectively with ‘p’ value 0.002. The number of days of full feed in experimental group was 3.7 days earlier (p=0.04). Infants from experimental group showed higher oral motor score and more weight gain with significant difference The behavioral regulation in infants of both the groups improved after 8 day.Conclusions: PIOMI with M technique was well tolerated by preterm infants. The modified protocol has resulted in achieving early oral feeds and reducing hospital stay. It has also shown the benefit of behavioural regulation along with better oral motor control.

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Background: Children with central nervous dysfunction should be given a variety of long-term physical and occupational therapy interventions to facilitate their self-development and to enhance functional independence in movement, self-care, play, school activities and leisure. The present study aimed to investigate the benefit of implementing context-focused intervention approach along with occupational therapy intervention in children with CNS dysfunctions.Methods: This randomized case control study conducted in 30 children with CNS dysfunction aging between 12 months to 48 months were randomly divided into control and experimental groups consisting of 15 children in each group. Control group received conventional occupational therapy for 45 min, and experimental group received context-focused intervention approach for 30 min along with conventional occupational therapy for 15 min (thrice a week). The patients were evaluated at baseline, after 12 and 24 weeks of follow up period on Canadian occupational performance measure (COPM) to evaluate parental perception about intervention, GMFM (gross motor function measure) to study the motor ability of the patient and ICF-CY (International classification of functioning, disability and health for children and youth) for activity participation and performance with evaluation of context.Results: Significant progress in the satisfaction score during 2nd and 3rd follow ups were noted (p <0.001) in experimental group. All the activities in GMFM score except lying and rolling showed significant improvement in experimental group (p <0.001). In experimental group a significant improvement in performance qualifier of ICF was seen during follow ups (p<0.001). The capacity qualifier scoring of ICF was improved in experimental group during 2nd follow up (p = 0.006). Progress in environmental scores of ICF during all the follow ups was noted (p <0.001) in experimental group. Significant correlation in GMFM scores and COPM performance score was noted during last follow-up in both the groups.Conclusions: The findings of the study showed positive results with context focused therapy and thus can be inferred that new intervention approach context focused therapy along with the conventional occupational therapy is very effective in improving the performance of functional tasks in children with CNS dysfunction.

Attention Decit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral disorder characterized by either signicant difculties of inattention or/ and impulsiveness or a combination of two. This results in hyperactivity.The Children with ADHD often have problems with working memory, organization and time management that make it hard to follow daily routines, It is accompanied by heightened anxiety levels. Savasana has been found to be effective in reducing stress in cardiac conditions. The Savasana may help to reduce anxiety in children with ADHD.The study was conducted to study the effect of Savasana along with conventional sensory integration therapy on anxiety levels of Chidren with ADHD & compare the anxiety level in children with ADHD receiving conventional Sensory integrative therapy. Children meeting inclusion criterion were allocated in two groups and were evaluated on Revised Children`s Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS) at the baseline,at 4 weeks & at 8th week. There was signicant difference in improvement at 8th week follow-up between the groups with p< 0.001. The Savasana being integral part of Yoga, Savasana can help in reducing the anxiety.The parents expressed satisfaction, as they noted reduction in hyperactivity of their child & improved attention during short term activities. They have also reported improvement in their behavior at school.The study on larger population is recommended.

BACKGROUND: Occupational Therapist is an integral part of Neonatology team. The purpose of this research is to explore and promote the awareness of the role of Occupational Therapy (OT) within Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). A survey was created to determine and assess the awareness of neonatal care guidelines by occupational therapists using a stratied random sample, distributed to occupational therapists working in Government Hospitals, Private Hospital Settings and in Private Practice throughout India. Study Design: Survey Research Design. METHODS: A survey was created by the researchers using Google Forms based on a thorough literature review of the topic. The survey consisted of 20 quantitative and qualitative items. After pilot testing, the survey was sent via social media through WhatsApp link to occupational therapy practitioners working in various healthcare setups throughout India. Data was collected from 26th May 2020 to 5th June 2020. Total 54 responses were received. RESULTS: Out of 54 therapist responses 60% were from tertiary care Government hospitals, out of which 3.8% were working full time in NICU, among all 29 % therapist had comprehensive knowledge about practical applications, but 50% therapists were interested in gaining indepth knowledge. All the therapists were aware about commonly used practices such as positioning, Kangaroo Mother Care etc. CONCLUSION: This survey helped to assess Occupational Therapy knowledge about the role of occupational therapist in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and also provided awareness to the therapists about the various approaches used for intervention in NICU. Many therapists are aware about this developing branch in Occupational therapy, but have restricted scope to practise in the highly specialised area. The results may guide and facilitate further research of this important speciality area of occupational therapy practise.