New Explore Medbridge Pathways

Neuroprotective Developmental Care in the NICU

Presented by Lara Liszka

Neuroprotective Developmental Care in the NICU

12-Month Subscription

Unlimited access to:

  • Thousands of CE Courses
  • Patient Education
  • Home Exercise Program
  • And more
Subscribe Now

Or

First Chapter Free Buy Course
This course provides a theoretical and scientific foundation for effectively implementing neuroprotective and developmental care in the NICU. Preterm birth poses significant risks to brain development, and the NICU environment can profoundly impact both short- and long-term neurodevelopment. This course will provide explanations of the neuroanatomical and developmental intricacies of preterm infants and how to integrate theoretical foundations like the synactive theory into clinical practice, and then apply evidence-based strategies for neuroprotection. This course is designed for NICU healthcare professionals, including neonatologists, nurses, neonatal therapists, and developmental specialists. By equipping practitioners with advanced knowledge and tools for neuroprotective, developmentally supportive care in the NICU, clinicians will walk away with a better understanding of how they may improve the long-term developmental outcomes of preterm infants.

Learning Objectives
  • Examine the neurological basis for neuroprotective, developmental care in the NICU
  • Determine the theoretical basis for neuroprotective, developmental care for application in the NICU
  • Apply neuroprotective principles to facilitate occupation-based developmental activities and enhance caregiver–infant interactions in the NICU
  • Plan strategies for integrating evidence-based neuroprotective, developmental care into clinical NICU practices
  • Analyze how current NICU unit practices align with evidence-based principles of neuroprotective, developmental care

Meet your instructor

A woman with long brown hair and glasses smiles at the camera, representing digital healthcare for medbridge.

Lara Liszka

Lara Liszka earned her doctorate in occupational therapy from Washington University in St. Louis in 2019, where she was a member of the NICU Therapy Lab. Her doctoral research focused on early auditory exposure across neonatal environments and the social factors influencing the early auditory environment after NICU discharge.…

Read full bio

Chapters & learning objectives

Critical Period of Development

1. Critical Period of Development

This chapter will provide an in-depth overview of neuroanatomy and infant brain development, emphasizing the interconnected roles of the sensory, musculoskeletal, neurobehavioral, and neuromotor systems in shaping neurodevelopment. It will highlight the latest research on how the NICU environment impacts the neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants and discuss strategies for implementing neuroprotective care.

Developmental Care in the NICU

2. Developmental Care in the NICU

This chapter will delve into theoretical basis of neuroprotective, developmental care in the NICU, incorporating the synactive theory, the model of developmental care, and the PEOP (Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance) process model. We will also review recent research on the effectiveness of these developmental care models and their impact on the long-term outcomes of preterm infants.

Bridging the Gap in Clinical Practice

3. Bridging the Gap in Clinical Practice

This final chapter will break down and analyze the key elements of NICU care that are directly linked to neuroprotection. It will provide guidance on the most effective strategies for educating other practitioners and caregivers on these essential elements, ensuring a consistent application of best practices. We will also explore a step-by-step approach of self-reflection to evaluate and enhance NICU clinical practice.