Why to join a
PIOMI TRAINING WEBINAR:
"The knowledge and experience of the speaker was very helpful to increase my knowledge on this intervention for preterms. I never enjoyed any webinar as much as I did today. The speaker patiently explained everything in detail and clarified all the questions that were put up. I'm very happy and proud to be a PIOMI provider and hoping to apply my knowledge practically and learn more. Thank you!"
PARTICIPANT, SLP-CLC
AUGUST 10, 2024 WEBINAR
PREMATURE INFANT
ORAL MOTOR INTERVENTION
The next Live PIOMI Training Webinar is
June 20, 2026
Click "Webinars" tab above to register!
What is PIOMI?
Premature Infant Oral Motor Intervention (PIOMI) is a 5-minute oral motor intervention using a pinky finger in the and around the mouth of preterm infants as young as 29 weeks PMA. PIOMI aims to mimic the in-utero oral experience that strengthens and develops feeding mechanisms. The 8 steps provide assisted movement to activate muscle contraction and provide movement against resistance to build strength in areas needed for subsequent bottle and breastfeeding. The intervention increases functional response to pressure and improves control of movements for the lips, cheeks, jaw, and tongue.
Evidence demonstrates that preterm infants who are offered PIOMI will have:
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Earlier readiness to feed
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Reduced transition time to full oral feedings
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Decreased length of hospital stay
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Increased mean Neonatal Oro-Motor Assessment Scale score
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Improved Early Feeding Skills (EFS) Assessment
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Improved Preterm Oral Feeding Readiness Assessment Scale (PTOFRAS)
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Improved LATCH score
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Increased direct breastfeeding rates at 1 month and 3 months after discharge from the NICU
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Improved scores on neurological battery at 3 and 6 month follow up
Excerpt from Training Video
RESEARCH & EVIDENCE
The PIOMI has become BEST PRACTICE for early oral motor therapy. It has been the focus of many randomized controlled trials in the USA and internationally. PIOMI evidence has been included in several systematic reviews (Cochrane) and meta-analyses. Evidence is consistently strong for earlier readiness to feed, faster transition to full feeds, and shorter length of stays.
See list of all PIOMI Studies and Presentations here:
ON-SITE TRAINING
Join leading hospitals and NICU teams who have completed on-site training to implement PIOMI as their oral motor standard of care.
Dr. Knoll, PhD, RN, FAAN has trained RNs, MDs, NNPs, OT, PT, SLPs, and Parents to implement PIOMI in your NICU.
PIOMI is used at Cleveland Clinic, CHOP, Boston Children's, and more.
