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Effect of physiotherapy on the promotion of bone mineralization in preterm infants: a randomized controlled trial
Galaad Torró-Ferrero1, Francisco Javier Fernández-Rego2, Juan José Agüera-Arenas3
1International School of Doctorate of the University of Murcia (EIDUM), University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain. galaad.torro@um.es.
Insights
Reflex locomotion therapy (RLT) improved bone mineralization in preterm infants more effectively than other physical therapies. This therapy shows promise for preventing and treating osteopenia in premature infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric physical therapy
- Bone health
Background:
- Preterm infants often exhibit lower bone mineralization than term infants.
- Osteopenia of prematurity is a significant concern, impacting infant growth and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of reflex locomotion therapy (RLT) on bone mineralization in preterm infants.
- To compare the efficacy of RLT against other physiotherapy interventions for improving bone health in this population.
Main Methods:
- Forty-six preterm infants (29-34 weeks gestation) were randomly assigned to RLT, passive movements with joint compression, or massage (control).
- Interventions were administered for one month in the neonatal unit.
- Bone mineralization was assessed using tibial speed of sound (Tibia-SOS).
Main Results:
- All groups had similar baseline characteristics, including gestational age, birth weight, and Tibia-SOS.
- Significant differences in Tibia-SOS were observed among the groups post-intervention (p=0.049).
- The RLT group demonstrated a statistically significant benefit in Tibia-SOS levels compared to the other groups.
Conclusions:
- Reflex locomotion therapy is effective in enhancing tibial speed of sound, indicating improved bone mineralization.
- RLT demonstrates superior efficacy compared to passive movements and massage for bone health in preterm infants.
- RLT can be considered a valuable physiotherapeutic approach for managing and preventing osteopenia associated with prematurity.
Abstract:
Preterm infants have a low level of bone mineralization compared to those born at term. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of reflex locomotion therapy (RLT) on bone mineralization and growth in preterm infants and compare its effect to other physiotherapy procedures. Forty-six preterm infants born at 29-34 weeks were randomized into three groups: one group received RLT (n = 17); the other group received passive movements with gentle joint compression (n = 14); and the control group received massages (n = 15). All the treatments were performed at the neonatal unit for one month. The main outcome measure was bone mineralization, which was measured using the tibial speed of sound (Tibial-SOS). All the groups were similar in terms of gestational age (31.8 ± 1.18), birth weight (1,583.41 ± 311.9), and Tibia-SOS (1,604.7 ± 27.9) at the beginning of the intervention. At the end of the study, significant differences were found among the groups in the Tibial-SOS [F(4,86) = 2.77, p = 0.049, ηp2 = 0.114] in terms of the benefit to the RLT group. In conclusion, RLT has been effective at improving Tibial-SOS levels and has been more effective than other physical therapy modalities; therefore, it could be considered an effective physiotherapeutic modality for the prevention and treatment of osteopenia from prematurity.
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