Oncolytic viruses that selectively replicate in and lyse cancer cells are a promising approach for the treatment of tumours that are resistant to conventional therapies. Clinical experience has shown that oncolytic viruses are safe and well tolerated but possess modest single agent activity. One approach to improve the efficacy of oncolytic viruses is to utilise their tumour tropism to deliver genes encoding enzymes able to activate prodrugs. ONYX-411 is an oncolytic adenovirus that replicates in cells that carry dysfunctions in the retinoblastoma (pRb) pathway, a common hallmark of cancer. ONYX-411 was ‘armed’ by inserting the Escherichia coli nfsB nitroreductase (NTR) gene into the E3B region of the viral genome under the control of the endogenous E3 viral transcriptional machinery. NTR is an oxygen-insensitive nitroreductase that is capable of activating dinitrobenzamide mustard (DNBM) prodrugs to cytotoxic metabolites. The main objective of this thesis was to determine the extent and mechanism of the therapeutic interaction between ONYX-411NTR and DNBM prodrugs. A fluorogenic probe was developed to monitor NTR activity non-invasively and revealed robust, replication dependent NTR activity in ONYX-411NTR-infected neoplastic but not primary human cell lines. In vitro exposure of ONYX-411NTR-infected cells to therapeutically relevant concentrations of the DNBM prodrugs (SN 27686 or PR-104A) did not inhibit virus replication. Tumour growth delay studies of systemic ONYX-411NTR followed by prodrug demonstrated different outcomes in three models (H1299, C33A, 22Rv1). To establish predictable viral infection of tumours a pre-infection model was developed using HCT 116 xenografts. This methodology demonstrated that prodrug administration (SN 28343 or PR-104) provided significant inhibition of tumour growth without suppression of ONYX-411NTR replication. Follow-on studies using intravenous virus administration confirmed titre amplification with time (24-fold between day 3 and 13 post administration; P < 0.001) and a marked survival gain for the virus/prodrug combinations. Neither the prodrugs nor ONYX-411NTR were active as single agents. The improvement in efficacy for the combination of ONYX-411NTR and prodrug was conditional on NTR-dependent prodrug activation resulting in improved virus distribution within the tumour. PR-104 is currently in clinical development making the combination of ONYX-411NTR with PR-104 a promising strategy for cancer selective therapy. / Whole document restricted, but available by request, use the feedback form to request access.

The Directed ortho Metalation reaction is described in Chapter 1 of this thesis with particular emphasis on its mechanism and synthetic potential. Chapter 2 contains a review of the DoM (Directed ortho Metalation) of pyridine systems and describes the conditions that allow the one-pot DoM (Directed ortho-Metalation)-Boronation-Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling of pyridines 2.263a-c, 2.351-2.53 (Table 2.9) bearing several DMGs (Directed Metalation Groups) including the synthetically versatile diethyl amide functionality without incurring into commonly observed self-condensation processes. The method avoids the tedious and uncertain isolation of the intermediate boronic acids while offering rapid access to synthetically valuable arylpyridines (2.354a-s, Table 2.9). Selected aryl pyridine carboxamides were used to demonstrate the DoM-DreM (Directed remote Metalation) nexus that furnishes substituted and isomerically diverse azafluorenones 2.380a-d (Table 2.11) with high regioselectivity. The previous discovery of the anionic O→C -vinyl carbamoyl migration of carbamoyl stilbenes stimulated its application in the total synthesis of natural product isoprekinamycin, bearing the unusual diazo group. Chapter 3 of this thesis describes the efficient synthesis of the key stilbene derivative 3.113 and its structural variations whose conversion to the desired naphthols 3.143, 3.144, 3.153 and 3.169 (Table 3.3) is accompanied by extensive decomposition, thus terminating this approach to isoprekinamycin. A modified approach via Z-3.271 (Scheme 3.54) gave the desired naphthyl carbamate intermediates 3.274 and 3.278 (Schemes 3.55 and 3.56, respectively) whose complex DreM reactions prevented the completion of the synthesis but remain under active investigation in our laboratories. Previous studies of the DoM reaction of aryl tetramethyl phosphorodiamidate have shown that unpractical experimental conditions are necessary, thus limiting synthetic application. Chapter 4 of this thesis describes the results concerning the performance of the tetraethyl phosphorodiamidate DMG under standard DoM and DreM conditions, anionic phospha-Fries rearrangement, 1,4 lateral migration, and Suzuki cross coupling which demonstrate synthetic utility and application in synthetic aromatic chemistry. / Thesis (Ph.D, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2008-12-16 14:15:09.695

Human language has two fundamental requirements: it must allow competent speakers to exchange messages efficiently, and it must be readily learned by children. Recent work has examined effects of language predictability on language production, with many researchers arguing that so-called “predictability effects” function towards the efficiency requirement. Specifically, recent work has found that talkers tend to reduce linguistic forms that are more probable more heavily. This dissertation proposes the “Predictability Bootstrapping Hypothesis” that predictability effects also make language more learnable. There is a great deal of evidence that the adult grammars have substantial statistical components. Since predictability effects result in heavier reduction for more probable words and hidden structure, they provide infants with direct cues to the statistical components of the grammars they are trying to learn. The corpus studies and computational modeling experiments in this dissertation show that predictability effects could be a substantial source of information to language-learning infants, focusing on the potential utility of phonetic reduction in terms of word duration for syntax acquisition. First, corpora of spontaneous adult-directed and child-directed speech (ADS and CDS, respectively) are compared to verify that predictability effects actually exist in CDS. While revealing some differences, mixed effects regressions on those corpora indicate that predictability effects in CDS are largely similar (in kind and magnitude) to predictability effects in ADS. This result indicates that predictability effects are available to infants, however useful they may be. Second, this dissertation builds probabilistic, unsupervised, and lexicalized models for learning about syntax from words and durational cues. One series of models is based on Hidden Markov Models and learns shallow constituency structure, while the other series is based on the Dependency Model with Valence and learns dependency structure. These models are then used to measure how useful durational cues are for syntax acquisition, and to what extent their utility in this task can be attributed to effects of syntactic predictability on word duration. As part of this investigation, these models are also used to explore the venerable “Prosodic Bootstrapping Hypothesis” that prosodic structure, which is cued in part by word duration, may be useful for syntax acquisition. The empirical evaluations of these models provide evidence that effects of syntactic predictability on word duration are easier to discover and exploit than effects of prosodic structure, and that even gold-standard annotations of prosodic structure provide at most a relatively small improvement in parsing performance over raw word duration. Taken together, this work indicates that predictability effects provide useful information about syntax to infants, showing that the Predictability Bootstrapping Hypothesis for syntax acquisition is computationally plausible and motivating future behavioural investigation. Additionally, as talkers consider the probability of many different aspects of linguistic structure when reducing according to predictability effects, this result also motivates investigation of Predictability Bootstrapping of other aspects of linguistic knowledge.

Oncolytic viruses that selectively replicate in and lyse cancer cells are a promising approach for the treatment of tumours that are resistant to conventional therapies. Clinical experience has shown that oncolytic viruses are safe and well tolerated but possess modest single agent activity. One approach to improve the efficacy of oncolytic viruses is to utilise their tumour tropism to deliver genes encoding enzymes able to activate prodrugs. ONYX-411 is an oncolytic adenovirus that replicates in cells that carry dysfunctions in the retinoblastoma (pRb) pathway, a common hallmark of cancer. ONYX-411 was ‘armed’ by inserting the Escherichia coli nfsB nitroreductase (NTR) gene into the E3B region of the viral genome under the control of the endogenous E3 viral transcriptional machinery. NTR is an oxygen-insensitive nitroreductase that is capable of activating dinitrobenzamide mustard (DNBM) prodrugs to cytotoxic metabolites. The main objective of this thesis was to determine the extent and mechanism of the therapeutic interaction between ONYX-411NTR and DNBM prodrugs. A fluorogenic probe was developed to monitor NTR activity non-invasively and revealed robust, replication dependent NTR activity in ONYX-411NTR-infected neoplastic but not primary human cell lines. In vitro exposure of ONYX-411NTR-infected cells to therapeutically relevant concentrations of the DNBM prodrugs (SN 27686 or PR-104A) did not inhibit virus replication. Tumour growth delay studies of systemic ONYX-411NTR followed by prodrug demonstrated different outcomes in three models (H1299, C33A, 22Rv1). To establish predictable viral infection of tumours a pre-infection model was developed using HCT 116 xenografts. This methodology demonstrated that prodrug administration (SN 28343 or PR-104) provided significant inhibition of tumour growth without suppression of ONYX-411NTR replication. Follow-on studies using intravenous virus administration confirmed titre amplification with time (24-fold between day 3 and 13 post administration; P < 0.001) and a marked survival gain for the virus/prodrug combinations. Neither the prodrugs nor ONYX-411NTR were active as single agents. The improvement in efficacy for the combination of ONYX-411NTR and prodrug was conditional on NTR-dependent prodrug activation resulting in improved virus distribution within the tumour. PR-104 is currently in clinical development making the combination of ONYX-411NTR with PR-104 a promising strategy for cancer selective therapy. / Whole document restricted, but available by request, use the feedback form to request access.

Oncolytic viruses that selectively replicate in and lyse cancer cells are a promising approach for the treatment of tumours that are resistant to conventional therapies. Clinical experience has shown that oncolytic viruses are safe and well tolerated but possess modest single agent activity. One approach to improve the efficacy of oncolytic viruses is to utilise their tumour tropism to deliver genes encoding enzymes able to activate prodrugs. ONYX-411 is an oncolytic adenovirus that replicates in cells that carry dysfunctions in the retinoblastoma (pRb) pathway, a common hallmark of cancer. ONYX-411 was ‘armed’ by inserting the Escherichia coli nfsB nitroreductase (NTR) gene into the E3B region of the viral genome under the control of the endogenous E3 viral transcriptional machinery. NTR is an oxygen-insensitive nitroreductase that is capable of activating dinitrobenzamide mustard (DNBM) prodrugs to cytotoxic metabolites. The main objective of this thesis was to determine the extent and mechanism of the therapeutic interaction between ONYX-411NTR and DNBM prodrugs. A fluorogenic probe was developed to monitor NTR activity non-invasively and revealed robust, replication dependent NTR activity in ONYX-411NTR-infected neoplastic but not primary human cell lines. In vitro exposure of ONYX-411NTR-infected cells to therapeutically relevant concentrations of the DNBM prodrugs (SN 27686 or PR-104A) did not inhibit virus replication. Tumour growth delay studies of systemic ONYX-411NTR followed by prodrug demonstrated different outcomes in three models (H1299, C33A, 22Rv1). To establish predictable viral infection of tumours a pre-infection model was developed using HCT 116 xenografts. This methodology demonstrated that prodrug administration (SN 28343 or PR-104) provided significant inhibition of tumour growth without suppression of ONYX-411NTR replication. Follow-on studies using intravenous virus administration confirmed titre amplification with time (24-fold between day 3 and 13 post administration; P < 0.001) and a marked survival gain for the virus/prodrug combinations. Neither the prodrugs nor ONYX-411NTR were active as single agents. The improvement in efficacy for the combination of ONYX-411NTR and prodrug was conditional on NTR-dependent prodrug activation resulting in improved virus distribution within the tumour. PR-104 is currently in clinical development making the combination of ONYX-411NTR with PR-104 a promising strategy for cancer selective therapy. / Whole document restricted, but available by request, use the feedback form to request access.

Oncolytic viruses that selectively replicate in and lyse cancer cells are a promising approach for the treatment of tumours that are resistant to conventional therapies. Clinical experience has shown that oncolytic viruses are safe and well tolerated but possess modest single agent activity. One approach to improve the efficacy of oncolytic viruses is to utilise their tumour tropism to deliver genes encoding enzymes able to activate prodrugs. ONYX-411 is an oncolytic adenovirus that replicates in cells that carry dysfunctions in the retinoblastoma (pRb) pathway, a common hallmark of cancer. ONYX-411 was ‘armed’ by inserting the Escherichia coli nfsB nitroreductase (NTR) gene into the E3B region of the viral genome under the control of the endogenous E3 viral transcriptional machinery. NTR is an oxygen-insensitive nitroreductase that is capable of activating dinitrobenzamide mustard (DNBM) prodrugs to cytotoxic metabolites. The main objective of this thesis was to determine the extent and mechanism of the therapeutic interaction between ONYX-411NTR and DNBM prodrugs. A fluorogenic probe was developed to monitor NTR activity non-invasively and revealed robust, replication dependent NTR activity in ONYX-411NTR-infected neoplastic but not primary human cell lines. In vitro exposure of ONYX-411NTR-infected cells to therapeutically relevant concentrations of the DNBM prodrugs (SN 27686 or PR-104A) did not inhibit virus replication. Tumour growth delay studies of systemic ONYX-411NTR followed by prodrug demonstrated different outcomes in three models (H1299, C33A, 22Rv1). To establish predictable viral infection of tumours a pre-infection model was developed using HCT 116 xenografts. This methodology demonstrated that prodrug administration (SN 28343 or PR-104) provided significant inhibition of tumour growth without suppression of ONYX-411NTR replication. Follow-on studies using intravenous virus administration confirmed titre amplification with time (24-fold between day 3 and 13 post administration; P < 0.001) and a marked survival gain for the virus/prodrug combinations. Neither the prodrugs nor ONYX-411NTR were active as single agents. The improvement in efficacy for the combination of ONYX-411NTR and prodrug was conditional on NTR-dependent prodrug activation resulting in improved virus distribution within the tumour. PR-104 is currently in clinical development making the combination of ONYX-411NTR with PR-104 a promising strategy for cancer selective therapy. / Whole document restricted, but available by request, use the feedback form to request access.

Esse estudo teve o objetivo de verificar as influências de um programa de educação motora com três diferentes abordagens interventivas no desempenho motor de crianças de seis a nove meses de idade,nascidas pré-termo. Os participantes foram distribuídos intencionalmente em três grupos, sendo que 19 crianças participaram de intervenções direcionadas pela pesquisadora, de forma individual, em ambiente domiciliar (GI), 19 crianças participaram de intervenções direcionadas pela pesquisadora, em pequenos grupos de quatro a cinco crianças, no ambulatório de fisioterapia do Hospital da Criança Santo Antônio (GG) e 17 crianças participaram de intervenções realizadas por seus responsáveis, em ambiente domiciliar, após os mesmos receberem orientações prévias da pesquisadora (GD). Os responsáveis pelas crianças de todos os grupos assistiram a uma palestra inicial e um vídeo, assim como orientações prévias ao programa, e receberam o protocolo das atividades que compunham o programa de educação motora. Inicialmente, foi solicitado que todos os responsáveis preenchessem o questionário do Critério de Classificação Econômica Brasil (CCEB) e o Relatório de Atividades de Rotina Diária das crianças. Foi solicitado também que trouxessem a carteira de identificação da criança e a nota de alta hospitalar, a fim de se adquirir os dados referentes às condições orgânicas neonatais das crianças. Cada criança foi avaliada no início do estudo através do Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). Após, todas as crianças participaram de um programa de 24 sessões de intervenção motora, com uma das três diferentes abordagens, de acordo com o seu grupo interventivo. As intervenções eram baseadas em tarefas de perseguição visual aos brinquedos, estabilidade postural, deslocamento e atividades manipulativas com os brinquedos. Tendo em vista a distribuição não-normal das variáveis na amostra, a análise estatística foi realizada através de testes não-paramétricos. Portanto, o teste T de Wilcoxon foi utilizado para realizar as comparações do desempenho motor e da rotina diária em cada grupo nos diferentes tempos. A seguir, utilizou-se o teste de Kruskal-Wallis, a fim de se comparar o desempenho motor e a rotina diária das crianças nos diferentes grupos. Nos casos em que esse teste acusou diferenças significativas entre os grupos, foi utilizado o teste U de Mann-Whitney, no intuito de se identificar quais os grupos diferiam entre si. As associações entre o desempenho motor e as demais variáveis foram realizadas através do teste de correlação de Spearman e do teste Qui-quadrado. Em todas as análises realizadas, considerou-se um nível de significância de 5%. Como resultado, verificou-se que as crianças do GI e do GG apresentaram um incremento significativo no seu desempenho motor (respectivamente, p=0,001 e p=0,002), o que não foi observado nas crianças do GD (p=0,078). Além disso, as crianças do GI apresentaram desempenho motor superior quando comparadas com as crianças do GG (p=0,015) e do GD (p=0,003) ao final do estudo. Não foi encontrada diferença significativa no desempenho motor entre as crianças dos grupos GG e GD (p= 0,364). Quanto à rotina diária, observou-se que as crianças do GG foram as que demonstraram uma maior quantidade de modificação em atividades que refletem maior liberdade e estimulação no ambiente domiciliar. Não foram encontradas associações significativas das condições orgânicas, sócioeconômicas ou das atividades de rotina diária das crianças com seu desempenho motor. Conclui-se que o programa de educação motora com abordagem direcionada individual foi superior às demais abordagens no impacto sobre o desempenho motor de crianças nascidas pré-termo. / The goal of this research was to verify the influences of a motor educational program with three distinct approaches of interventions on motor development of children with six to nine months of age, who were born preterm. The subjects were intentionally allocated to these three groups. Nineteen children took part in interventions directed by the researcher, in an individual approach, at their homes (GI), 19 children took part in interventions directed by the researcher, in groups of four or five children, on the physical therapy ambulatory of Hospital da Criança Santo Antônio (GG) and 17 children took part in interventions performed by their parents, at their homes, after receiving orientations given by the researcher (GD). All parents watched to a lecture and received the same orientations before the program, as well as a protocol with the activities which composed the motor educational program. Initially, it was asked for the parents to fulfill the questionnaire of Critério de Classificação Econômica Brasil (CCEB) and a written report of children daily activities. As results, it was verified that children in GI and GG presented a significant improvement in motor performance (respectively, p=0,001 and p= 0,002), which was not observed in children of GD (p=0,078). Moreover, children in GI presented a grater motor performance when compared to GG (p=0,015) and GD (p= 0,003) at the end of study. It was not observed significant difference in motor performance between GG and GD at the end of study (p=0,364). Considering the daily routine, it was observed that children in GG presented the greatest modifications in activities which reflected more liberty and stimulation at home context. It was not observed significant correlations between organic conditions, social-economical conditions and daily routine activities with motor performance of children. We concluded that the motor educational program with individual approach, directed by the researcher, was better than the others in improving motor development of preterm children.

Graph augmentation concerns the addition of edges to a graph to satisfy some connectivity property of a graph. Previous research in this field has been preoccupied with edge augmentation; however the research in this document focuses on the addition of vertices to a graph to satisfy a specific connectivity property: ensuring that all the nodes of the graph are contained within cycles. A distinction is made between graph augmentation (edge addition), and graph enlargement (vertex addition). This document expands on previous research into a graph matching problem known as the “shoe matching problem” and the role of a graph enlargement algorithm in finding this solution. The aim of this research was to develop new and efficient algorithms to solve the graph enlargement problem as applied to the shoe matching problem and to improve on the naïve algorithm of Sanders. Three new algorithms focusing on graph enlargement and the shoe matching problem are presented, with positive results overall. The new enlargement algorithms: cost-optimised, matrix, and subgraph, succeeded in deriving the best result (least number of total nodes required) in 37%, 53%, and 57% of cases respectively (measured across 120 cases). In contrast, Sanders’s algorithm has a success rate of only 20%; thus the new algorithms have a varying success rate of approximately 2 to 3 times that of Sanders’s algorithm. / Computing / M. Sc. Computing

Esse estudo teve o objetivo de verificar as influências de um programa de educação motora com três diferentes abordagens interventivas no desempenho motor de crianças de seis a nove meses de idade,nascidas pré-termo. Os participantes foram distribuídos intencionalmente em três grupos, sendo que 19 crianças participaram de intervenções direcionadas pela pesquisadora, de forma individual, em ambiente domiciliar (GI), 19 crianças participaram de intervenções direcionadas pela pesquisadora, em pequenos grupos de quatro a cinco crianças, no ambulatório de fisioterapia do Hospital da Criança Santo Antônio (GG) e 17 crianças participaram de intervenções realizadas por seus responsáveis, em ambiente domiciliar, após os mesmos receberem orientações prévias da pesquisadora (GD). Os responsáveis pelas crianças de todos os grupos assistiram a uma palestra inicial e um vídeo, assim como orientações prévias ao programa, e receberam o protocolo das atividades que compunham o programa de educação motora. Inicialmente, foi solicitado que todos os responsáveis preenchessem o questionário do Critério de Classificação Econômica Brasil (CCEB) e o Relatório de Atividades de Rotina Diária das crianças. Foi solicitado também que trouxessem a carteira de identificação da criança e a nota de alta hospitalar, a fim de se adquirir os dados referentes às condições orgânicas neonatais das crianças. Cada criança foi avaliada no início do estudo através do Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). Após, todas as crianças participaram de um programa de 24 sessões de intervenção motora, com uma das três diferentes abordagens, de acordo com o seu grupo interventivo. As intervenções eram baseadas em tarefas de perseguição visual aos brinquedos, estabilidade postural, deslocamento e atividades manipulativas com os brinquedos. Tendo em vista a distribuição não-normal das variáveis na amostra, a análise estatística foi realizada através de testes não-paramétricos. Portanto, o teste T de Wilcoxon foi utilizado para realizar as comparações do desempenho motor e da rotina diária em cada grupo nos diferentes tempos. A seguir, utilizou-se o teste de Kruskal-Wallis, a fim de se comparar o desempenho motor e a rotina diária das crianças nos diferentes grupos. Nos casos em que esse teste acusou diferenças significativas entre os grupos, foi utilizado o teste U de Mann-Whitney, no intuito de se identificar quais os grupos diferiam entre si. As associações entre o desempenho motor e as demais variáveis foram realizadas através do teste de correlação de Spearman e do teste Qui-quadrado. Em todas as análises realizadas, considerou-se um nível de significância de 5%. Como resultado, verificou-se que as crianças do GI e do GG apresentaram um incremento significativo no seu desempenho motor (respectivamente, p=0,001 e p=0,002), o que não foi observado nas crianças do GD (p=0,078). Além disso, as crianças do GI apresentaram desempenho motor superior quando comparadas com as crianças do GG (p=0,015) e do GD (p=0,003) ao final do estudo. Não foi encontrada diferença significativa no desempenho motor entre as crianças dos grupos GG e GD (p= 0,364). Quanto à rotina diária, observou-se que as crianças do GG foram as que demonstraram uma maior quantidade de modificação em atividades que refletem maior liberdade e estimulação no ambiente domiciliar. Não foram encontradas associações significativas das condições orgânicas, sócioeconômicas ou das atividades de rotina diária das crianças com seu desempenho motor. Conclui-se que o programa de educação motora com abordagem direcionada individual foi superior às demais abordagens no impacto sobre o desempenho motor de crianças nascidas pré-termo. / The goal of this research was to verify the influences of a motor educational program with three distinct approaches of interventions on motor development of children with six to nine months of age, who were born preterm. The subjects were intentionally allocated to these three groups. Nineteen children took part in interventions directed by the researcher, in an individual approach, at their homes (GI), 19 children took part in interventions directed by the researcher, in groups of four or five children, on the physical therapy ambulatory of Hospital da Criança Santo Antônio (GG) and 17 children took part in interventions performed by their parents, at their homes, after receiving orientations given by the researcher (GD). All parents watched to a lecture and received the same orientations before the program, as well as a protocol with the activities which composed the motor educational program. Initially, it was asked for the parents to fulfill the questionnaire of Critério de Classificação Econômica Brasil (CCEB) and a written report of children daily activities. As results, it was verified that children in GI and GG presented a significant improvement in motor performance (respectively, p=0,001 and p= 0,002), which was not observed in children of GD (p=0,078). Moreover, children in GI presented a grater motor performance when compared to GG (p=0,015) and GD (p= 0,003) at the end of study. It was not observed significant difference in motor performance between GG and GD at the end of study (p=0,364). Considering the daily routine, it was observed that children in GG presented the greatest modifications in activities which reflected more liberty and stimulation at home context. It was not observed significant correlations between organic conditions, social-economical conditions and daily routine activities with motor performance of children. We concluded that the motor educational program with individual approach, directed by the researcher, was better than the others in improving motor development of preterm children.

Esse estudo teve o objetivo de verificar as influências de um programa de educação motora com três diferentes abordagens interventivas no desempenho motor de crianças de seis a nove meses de idade,nascidas pré-termo. Os participantes foram distribuídos intencionalmente em três grupos, sendo que 19 crianças participaram de intervenções direcionadas pela pesquisadora, de forma individual, em ambiente domiciliar (GI), 19 crianças participaram de intervenções direcionadas pela pesquisadora, em pequenos grupos de quatro a cinco crianças, no ambulatório de fisioterapia do Hospital da Criança Santo Antônio (GG) e 17 crianças participaram de intervenções realizadas por seus responsáveis, em ambiente domiciliar, após os mesmos receberem orientações prévias da pesquisadora (GD). Os responsáveis pelas crianças de todos os grupos assistiram a uma palestra inicial e um vídeo, assim como orientações prévias ao programa, e receberam o protocolo das atividades que compunham o programa de educação motora. Inicialmente, foi solicitado que todos os responsáveis preenchessem o questionário do Critério de Classificação Econômica Brasil (CCEB) e o Relatório de Atividades de Rotina Diária das crianças. Foi solicitado também que trouxessem a carteira de identificação da criança e a nota de alta hospitalar, a fim de se adquirir os dados referentes às condições orgânicas neonatais das crianças. Cada criança foi avaliada no início do estudo através do Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). Após, todas as crianças participaram de um programa de 24 sessões de intervenção motora, com uma das três diferentes abordagens, de acordo com o seu grupo interventivo. As intervenções eram baseadas em tarefas de perseguição visual aos brinquedos, estabilidade postural, deslocamento e atividades manipulativas com os brinquedos. Tendo em vista a distribuição não-normal das variáveis na amostra, a análise estatística foi realizada através de testes não-paramétricos. Portanto, o teste T de Wilcoxon foi utilizado para realizar as comparações do desempenho motor e da rotina diária em cada grupo nos diferentes tempos. A seguir, utilizou-se o teste de Kruskal-Wallis, a fim de se comparar o desempenho motor e a rotina diária das crianças nos diferentes grupos. Nos casos em que esse teste acusou diferenças significativas entre os grupos, foi utilizado o teste U de Mann-Whitney, no intuito de se identificar quais os grupos diferiam entre si. As associações entre o desempenho motor e as demais variáveis foram realizadas através do teste de correlação de Spearman e do teste Qui-quadrado. Em todas as análises realizadas, considerou-se um nível de significância de 5%. Como resultado, verificou-se que as crianças do GI e do GG apresentaram um incremento significativo no seu desempenho motor (respectivamente, p=0,001 e p=0,002), o que não foi observado nas crianças do GD (p=0,078). Além disso, as crianças do GI apresentaram desempenho motor superior quando comparadas com as crianças do GG (p=0,015) e do GD (p=0,003) ao final do estudo. Não foi encontrada diferença significativa no desempenho motor entre as crianças dos grupos GG e GD (p= 0,364). Quanto à rotina diária, observou-se que as crianças do GG foram as que demonstraram uma maior quantidade de modificação em atividades que refletem maior liberdade e estimulação no ambiente domiciliar. Não foram encontradas associações significativas das condições orgânicas, sócioeconômicas ou das atividades de rotina diária das crianças com seu desempenho motor. Conclui-se que o programa de educação motora com abordagem direcionada individual foi superior às demais abordagens no impacto sobre o desempenho motor de crianças nascidas pré-termo. / The goal of this research was to verify the influences of a motor educational program with three distinct approaches of interventions on motor development of children with six to nine months of age, who were born preterm. The subjects were intentionally allocated to these three groups. Nineteen children took part in interventions directed by the researcher, in an individual approach, at their homes (GI), 19 children took part in interventions directed by the researcher, in groups of four or five children, on the physical therapy ambulatory of Hospital da Criança Santo Antônio (GG) and 17 children took part in interventions performed by their parents, at their homes, after receiving orientations given by the researcher (GD). All parents watched to a lecture and received the same orientations before the program, as well as a protocol with the activities which composed the motor educational program. Initially, it was asked for the parents to fulfill the questionnaire of Critério de Classificação Econômica Brasil (CCEB) and a written report of children daily activities. As results, it was verified that children in GI and GG presented a significant improvement in motor performance (respectively, p=0,001 and p= 0,002), which was not observed in children of GD (p=0,078). Moreover, children in GI presented a grater motor performance when compared to GG (p=0,015) and GD (p= 0,003) at the end of study. It was not observed significant difference in motor performance between GG and GD at the end of study (p=0,364). Considering the daily routine, it was observed that children in GG presented the greatest modifications in activities which reflected more liberty and stimulation at home context. It was not observed significant correlations between organic conditions, social-economical conditions and daily routine activities with motor performance of children. We concluded that the motor educational program with individual approach, directed by the researcher, was better than the others in improving motor development of preterm children.