Impact of physiotherapy on early preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit using the international classification of function framework

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Çakır D., Çömük Balcı N.

16TH EUROPEAN BOBATH TUTORS ASSOCIATION – EBTA CONGRESS ISTANBUL 2024, İstanbul, Turkey, 19 - 21 September 2024, vol.35, pp.9, (Summary Text)

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Summary Text
  • Volume: 35
  • City: İstanbul
  • Country: Turkey
  • Page Numbers: pp.9
  • Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Impact of physiotherapy on early preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit using the international classification of function framework

Deniz Cakir1 , Nilay Comuk Balci1

1 Ondokuz Mayıs University Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Samsun, Türkiye

Purpose: Physiotherapy exercises administered to preterm infants in the NICU can enhance motor skills and expedite the discharge process for infants born before 30 weeks of gestational age. The research delves into the influence of physiotherapy programs on these preterm infants’ activity and participation levels in International Classification of Function (ICF).

Methods: Infants were enrolled in intervention programmes, after the infant was stable in terms of respiration. The intervention group received a one-month physiotherapy program including massage around the mouth, mobilization and weight-bearing exercises, and massage therapy for the extremities, while the control group did not. The motor skills were evaluated by the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP), Dubowitz Neurological examination, and Preterm Oral Feeding Readiness Scales (POFRAS).

Results: There was a significant difference in The TIMP, Dubowitz Optimal Score, Type of Non-Invasive Ventilation, TIMP Range, and POFRAS scores in the physiotherapy group rather than the control group (p=0.000 in TIMP, Dubowitz and POFRAS). There were no differences in the length of stay in the NICU, respiration rate, heart rate, body temperature, oxygen saturation, body weight on the evaluation day, body weight at discharge, head circumference at discharge between the groups (p>0.05).

Conclusion: We conclude that physiotherapy in NICU improves the motor and feding outcomes which are in activity and participation domain of ICF in preterm infants rather than the body functions and structure like vital signs and infants’ body weight.

Keywords: Early intervention, Preterm infants, Motor development, Developmental care, NICU