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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

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Physical therapy observation and assessment in the neonatal intensive care unit

Eilish Byrne1, Suzann K Campbell

  • 1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA. ebyrne@lpch.org

Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics
|January 15, 2013
PubMed

Insights

This article details physical therapy observation and assessment for infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). It outlines evidence-based assessments and their timing, prioritizing least invasive methods for neonates.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal physical therapy
  • Pediatric rehabilitation
  • Infant development

Background:

  • Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) require specialized physical therapy approaches.
  • Early and accurate assessment is crucial for optimizing outcomes in neonates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present the elements of the Observation and Assessment section of the Infant Care Path for Physical Therapy in the NICU.
  • To provide evidence-based physical therapy assessments and timing guidelines for neonates.
  • To discuss special considerations for assessing neonates within the NICU environment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of the healthcare record for initial assessment.
  • Utilizing least invasive methods to gather behavioral, developmental, physiologic, and musculoskeletal data.
  • Employing standardized tests with psychometric properties as neonates mature and tolerate handling.

Main Results:

  • The Infant Care Path provides a structured approach to physical therapy assessment in the NICU.
  • Assessment strategies progress from non-invasive methods to standardized testing.
  • Information gathered informs diagnosis and physical therapy intervention planning.

Conclusions:

  • The presented physical therapy assessment framework is evidence-based and informed by expert practice.
  • A tiered approach to assessment, from least invasive to standardized testing, is appropriate for NICU infants.
  • Special considerations are vital for effective physical therapy assessment in the NICU.

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