Experience-Informed Practices in Preterm Infant Habilitation in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Integrating Therapists’ Expertise and Mothers’ Lived Experiences

Background: Preterm birth continues to be a significant public health problem in India, accounting for most neonatal morbidity and mortality. Neonatal habilitation is a crucial process involving early sensory, motor, and cognitive interventions to improve long-term developmental outcomes. High-income countries have structured frameworks for neonatal rehabilitation, whereas India has different challenges, such as workforce shortages, inconsistent integration of therapy, and poor parental education. This study aimed to explore experience-informed neonatal habilitation practices in the neonatal intensive care units of Tamil Nadu, focusing on the roles of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, neonatologists, and the involvement of parents in preterm infant development. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interviews with neonatal therapists and mothers of preterm infants across multiple NICUs. Thematic analysis was performed to identify key patterns in habilitation practices, parental engagement, and barriers to effective implementation. Results: Findings clearly depict the crucial role of multi-disciplinary teamwork in the context of NICU habilitation. Therapists indicated the most comprehensive benefits from structured interventions, which include Kangaroo Mother Care, sensory-motor stimulation, and early oral feeding strategies. Parent education with active involvement enhanced caregiver confidence and reduced NICU stress; however, lack of standardized modules for training, limited resources, and cultural barriers prevented this practice. Conclusion: To maximize the developmental outcome in preterm infants, integrating structured habilitation frameworks with therapist-led and parent-driven interventions are important. Standardized training protocols, improving collaboration, and using culturally sensitive parent education strategies will assist in improving neonatal care in Tamil Nadu.