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Physiotherapy for preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit using the international classification of
Nilay Comuk Balci1, Sahin Takci2, Mustafa Ali Akin2
1Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkiye.
Insights
Early physiotherapy significantly improved motor skills, neurological development, and feeding readiness in preterm infants. This neonatal intensive care intervention enhances crucial developmental outcomes for vulnerable newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Developmental pediatrics
- Rehabilitation medicine
Background:
- Early preterm infants face developmental challenges.
- Physiotherapy may enhance outcomes in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of physiotherapy programs on the activity levels of early preterm infants.
- To assess improvements in motor skills, neurological development, and feeding readiness.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, randomized case-control study in a NICU with infants born at or before 30 weeks gestational age.
- Intervention group received a one-month physiotherapy program; control group received standard care.
- Evaluated motor skills (Test of Infant Motor Performance, Dubowitz Neurological Examination), neurological development, and oral feeding readiness.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements in motor skills, neurological development, and feeding readiness were observed in the physiotherapy group (p=0.00).
- No significant intergroup differences in vital signs, length of stay, or weight gain were noted.
- The study included 38 infants, with outcomes assessed after one month of intervention.
Conclusions:
- Physiotherapy interventions in the NICU setting positively impact motor, neurological, and feeding outcomes for preterm infants.
- Early physiotherapy is a valuable component of neonatal care for improving developmental trajectories.
Objective:
To assess the influence of physiotherapy programmes on early preterm infants' activity level.
Methods:
The prospective, randomised case-control study was conducted at the neonatal intensive care unit of Ondokuz Mayıs University Hospital, Samsun, Turkey, from January 2022 to May 2023, and comprised early preterm infants born at 30 weeks of gestational age or earlier. After the infants' vital signs stabilised, they were randomised into intervention group A and control group B. Those in group A received a one-month physiotherapy programme, while those in group B received daily standard care and positioning. Other than sociodemographic data and vital signs, variations in the infants' height and weight were monitored. Motor skills were evaluated using the Test of Infant Motor Performance, Dubowitz Neurological Examination with cut-off score of ≥30.5), and the Preterm Oral Feeding Readiness Scale were noted and compared between the groups. Data was analysed using SPSS 25.
Results:
Of the 38 infants with mean gestational age 29.03±1.26 weeks and mean and birthweight 1299.15±318.98gr, 19(50%) were in group A: 12(63.2%) girls and 7(36.8%) boys. There were 19(50%) infants in group B; 10(52.6%) girls and 9(47.4%) boys. There was no significant intergroup difference at the baseline (p>0.05). There was a significant improvement in motor skills, neurological development and feeding readiness in group A compared to group B (p=0.00). No significant intergroup differences were observed with respect to the length of stay under intensive care, respiration rate, heart rate, body temperature, oxygen saturation, body weight on the evaluation day, body weight at discharge, and head circumference at discharge (p>0.05).
Conclusions:
Physiotherapy in the neonatal intensive care improved motor, neurological and feeding outcomes in preterm infants.
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