The HOP-ON Study
helping our premature infants on to better motor skills

Study Methods

Study design

This study is a randomised controlled trial of a computer-based multimedia intervention called ‘HOP-ON’ which is designed to show parents how they can help their premature infants learn new motor skills.

To enable us to evaluate the HOP-ON programme, parents will be randomised into either an intervention group or a control group.

Parents in the intervention group will receive the HOP-ON programme whereas parents in the control group will receive a programme called ‘SMILES’. SMILES teaches parents how to interact with their infants in general but does not include any specific information about motor skills.

Overall, 180 premature infants (born at less than 32 weeks gestation) and their parents will participate in the study.

Study Intervention

HOP-ON is available as a CD-ROM or DVD and information booklet and is provided in two volumes.

HOP-ON shows parents:

  • How to interact with their premature infant
  • How to encourage their premature infant's motor development.

Study Procedure

 Time  Action
Just after discharge

Parents will receive:

  • Either HOP-ON or SMILES
  • A baseline/demographic questionnaire
  • Letters for their GP and Health Visitor.
3 months corrected age

Parents will receive:

  • Part two of the HOP-ON intervention (intervention group only)
  • A second questionnaire about their health and well-being. 
12 months corrected age 

We will arrange a visit to the parents home to:

  • Assess their infants motor skills using:
    - The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley-III)
    - The Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS)
    - An observation of their child's movement using a qualitative movement scale.
  • Evaluate parents' views of the HOP-ON programme using questionnaires and some interviews.

Premature baby and mum 
 

HOP-ON Study

c/o Cris Glazebrook
Division of Psychiatry
University of Nottingham
Medical School
Nottingham, NG7 2UH

telephone: +44 (0)115 823 0420
email: Contact HOP-ON