Purpose: To determine if the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) could be used as an educational tool for mothers; if learning is dependent on the format used or the tester; and if mothers could retain information provided on motor development of infants born prematurely over a short period of time.
Method: Twenty-eight mother-infant pairs were assigned to either a pictorial format group or a text-only format group. Mothers completed a survey before and after observing 1 of 2 therapists perform the TIMP on their infant.
Results: A 2-way analysis of variance showed a significant improvement in the mother's survey scores from the pretest to the post-test (p < 0.0001). Tester and format did not produced significant differences in mother's scores. On a follow-up telephone call 91% recalled activities to help their infant's development.
Conclusion: The TIMP was shown to be effective for educating mothers about infant motor development.