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Background: This study investigated two approaches of sensory-motor stimulation for parents to perform to their preterm infants.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of two different stimulation approaches in the development of preterm infants.

Method: One approach was directive, in which parents have performed a strict order of movements. The second approach was indirective, in which parents were oriented to provide a rich context for sensory-motor stimulation so that infants could experience the association between their movements and environmental consequences. Seventeen preterm infants accompanied by their caregivers were divided into two groups: Directive Group, n=10; and Indirective Group, n=7. Infants’ development was followed for over six months by the Alberta Scale.

Results: After the intervention, the indirective group reached more advanced stages of development than the directive group.