Immediate Effect of Chest Physiotherapy in Neonates with Respiratory Problems

This article aims at making CPT simple, so that it could be incorporated as a routine intensive care procedure in neonates with respiratory problem for managing respiratory ailments.

Respiratory problems occur in 4 to 6% of neonates. Chest physiotherapy in the neonatal intensive care unit is associated with taking care of the neonatal lungs^[6]. CPT such as percussion, tapping or vibrating on the chest has been used to clear the secretions from the baby's lungs. Respiratory distress is one of the commonest disorders encountered within first 42–78 hours of life.

Experimental study

Randomised sampling

Single session study was done on 50 neonates with respiratory problems like IRDS, SBA, MAS, Congenital pneumonia. The contra indications to active CPT were ruled out before starting the intervention. The outcome measures were SPO₂, RR, and RDS score. Pre intervention outcome measures were taken after that intervention in form of active CPT was given and then suction was done. Immediately after the intervention again the outcome measures were recorded. The data was collected and analyzed.

Z test was done to compare the values of SPO₂, RR, and RDS pre and post chest physiotherapy in 50 neonates. It signifies that the p value of pre and post physiotherapy Spo2 is significant and it suggests that there is improvement in oxygen saturation after giving chest physiotherapy, and the p value of pre and post physiotherapy RR and RDS score is significant which suggests that there is decrease in the respiratory distress after giving chest physiotherapy.

This study suggests that introduction of CPT as an adjunct with ongoing medical treatment improves the oxygen saturation and reduces the signs of distress in neonates suffering from respiratory problems.