2. Basics of INA intervention approach

We have developed a unique training model for water—INA (Infant Neural Aquatics). The model consists of repetitive bilateral motor training and sustained moderate aerobic activity and their influence on desensitization and reprocessing of adverse events in utero and after birth.

After parents signed informed consent, INA was conducted in the hydrotherapy pool— babies were placed in warm water in vertical and horizontal positions,

supported by the buoyancy of water and the caring hands of parent or therapist. Training started with a set of pre-structured movements through which parents practice handling of the infant in the water, in a way that enables free and integrated movement, eye contact, vocal communication, and increased confidence.

Figure 1.

INA (Infant Neural Aquatics) approach at work: Encouraging eye contact.

Working technique employed was modified for young and prematurely born Infants, including: passive mobilization, various rotations, relaxed floating, 8 shape delicate mobilization when the infant is supported under occiput and rib cage. Infants were video recorded during water sessions, under water and above water,

Developmental track of the babies with early intervention employing the INA approach was conducted at fixed time points using the non-intrusive General Movements (GM) tool [73–75]. The babies showed about 70% delta in developmental improvement comparing w/wo INA when the babies were around 55 wPMA.

Using the developmental tool ABAS (Adaptive Behavioral Assessment Scale) [76], the children showed about 40% delta in developmental improvement comparing w/wo INA, when the babies were around 1.5 years old (Graphs 1, 2). Intervention group. 78.27% of the subjects got the same results in delta1 and delta2 (for 8.70% both delta are equal 0 and for 69.57% both delta were equal 1), 21.74% of the subjects did not get the same results in delta1 and delta2—delta1 = 1 and delta2 = 0 (no opposite cases). We calculated the kappa coefficient (system consistency) = 0.3575 (confidence limit 95% is 0.0242 till 0.7393). We conducted

Control group. 87.50% of the subjects got the same results in delta1 and delta2 (for 66.67% both delta were equal 0 and for 20.83% both delta are equal 1), 12.50% of the subjects did not get the same results in delta1 and delta2—delta1 = 0 and delta2 = 1 (no opposite cases). We calculated kappa coefficient (system consistency) = 0.6897 (confidence limit 95% is 0.3774 till 1.000). We conducted

In order to test if group (w/wo early intervention) and the babies' preliminary grades were dependent, we used Fisher Exact test and got non-significant result (P = 0.5806), which proves no link between group (w/wo early intervention) and babies' developmental grade. In order to test if group (intervention/control) and the babies' grades at 55 wPMA were dependent, we used Fisher Exact test and got

once a week along 14 consecutive weeks (Figures 1–4).

INA (Infant Neural Aquatics) approach at work: Passive mobilizatio.

McNemar's Test (significance of results), P = 0.0625.

McNemar's Test (significance of results), P = 0.2500.

3. Developmental track of babies

INA Early Intervention for Babies at Risk DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.83610

Figure 4.

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Figure 2. INA (Infant Neural Aquatics) approach at work: Relaxed floating.

Figure 3. INA (Infant Neural Aquatics) approach at work: 8 shape delicate mobilization.

INA Early Intervention for Babies at Risk DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.83610

### Figure 4.

supported by the buoyancy of water and the caring hands of parent or therapist. Training started with a set of pre-structured movements through which parents practice handling of the infant in the water, in a way that enables free and integrated movement, eye contact, vocal communication, and increased confidence.

INA (Infant Neural Aquatics) approach at work: Encouraging eye contact.

Neurodevelopment and Neurodevelopmental Disorder

INA (Infant Neural Aquatics) approach at work: Relaxed floating.

INA (Infant Neural Aquatics) approach at work: 8 shape delicate mobilization.

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

Figure 3.

124

INA (Infant Neural Aquatics) approach at work: Passive mobilizatio.

Working technique employed was modified for young and prematurely born Infants, including: passive mobilization, various rotations, relaxed floating, 8 shape delicate mobilization when the infant is supported under occiput and rib cage. Infants were video recorded during water sessions, under water and above water, once a week along 14 consecutive weeks (Figures 1–4).
