Telehealth Delivery of the Homeostasis-Enrichment-Plasticity Approach for Premature Infants With Developmental Risks: Exploratory Feasibility Study.

BACKGROUND

Preterm delivery is an increasing worldwide health concern linked to increased neurodevelopmental risks. Early intervention is crucial for harnessing neuroplasticity to enhance developmental and functional performance outcomes; however, access to early intervention is frequently hindered by logistical, financial, and labor constraints. The Homeostasis-Enrichment-Plasticity (HEP) Approach is a family-centered early intervention model based on enriched environments, designed to improve infants' sensory-motor, cognitive, and socio-emotional development.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the feasibility, safety, acceptability, and outcomes sensitivity to change of implementing the HEP Approach through telehealth for premature infants at developmental risk.

METHODS

A pre-post exploratory feasibility study was performed, including 16 preterm infants (aged 4-12 months corrected age), of whom 14 completed the study. The 12-week intervention included weekly remote sessions focused on environmental enrichment, active exploration, and parental guidance. The feasibility and acceptability were evaluated using a 24-item questionnaire. Developmental outcomes were assessed with the Young Children's Participation and Environment Measure, Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), Alberta Infant Motor Scale, Infant Motor Profile, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales.

RESULTS

High adherence (14/14, 100%) and retention (14/16, 87.5%) rates demonstrated robust feasibility. Parents indicated 86%-100% agreement across all feasible criteria, affirming safety, satisfaction, and acceptability. No adverse incidents were reported. Changes were identified in participation (Young Children's Participation and Environment Measure), motor development (Alberta Infant Motor Scale, Infant Motor Profile, and ASQ), communication and social-emotional domains (ASQ), and caregiver well-being (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales) (P<.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The telehealth implementation of the HEP Approach demonstrated feasibility, safety, and strong acceptance among families, along with quantifiable developmental and psychosocial changes. These initial findings endorse the model's viability as an accessible, family-oriented telehealth framework for infants born preterm. Future randomized controlled and longitudinal studies are necessary to validate intervention efficacy and scalability.