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Chest physical therapy (CPT) offers benefits for newborns with lung issues. This review details CPT techniques, diagnoses, and complications for infants, guiding physical therapists in practice and research.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric physical therapy
Background:
- Chest physical therapy (CPT) is an emerging specialty for neonates with pulmonary dysfunction.
- Infants with respiratory diseases and prematurity often experience complications impacting treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide physical therapists with current information on CPT for newborn infants.
- To discuss neonatal diagnoses, complications, and CPT techniques relevant to this population.
Main Methods:
- Review of neonatal diagnoses benefiting from CPT.
- Discussion of common complications affecting CPT and medical management.
- Listing of indications, contraindications, and precautions for CPT techniques.
- Description of CPT evaluation and treatment with rationale.
- Literature review of CPT effects on neonates with pulmonary dysfunction.
Main Results:
- Analysis of strengths and weaknesses of existing studies on CPT in neonates.
- Identification of specific CPT techniques and their application rationale.
- Comprehensive overview of CPT for various neonatal pulmonary conditions.
Conclusions:
- CPT is a valuable intervention for neonates with pulmonary dysfunction.
- Further research is needed to strengthen the evidence base for CPT in this population.
- Physical therapists require updated information to optimize CPT practice for infants.
Abstract:
Chest physical therapy for neonates with pulmonary dysfunction is a growing specialty of physical therapy practice. The purpose of this article is to provide physical therapists current information regarding chest physical therapy for the newborn infant. The neonatal diagnoses for which chest physical therapy is useful or has good rationale are discussed. Common complications are reviewed that affect physical therapy and medical treatment for infants with respiratory diseases and prematurity. Specific indications, contraindications, and precautions for physical therapy techniques are listed. Chest physical therapy evaluation and treatment are described and rationale for the application of various techniques is provided. Literature is reviewed dealing with the effects of chest physical therapy on neonates with pulmonary dysfunction. The strengths and weaknesses of each reviewed study are analyzed and suggestions for direction of future research for physical therapists are provided.