Reflex Rolling Versus Lung Squeezing Techniques on Pulmonary Functions in Premature Neonate with Pneumonia

Abdelrazek, Merna A; Kassem, Hala; AbuShady, Mariam; Heneidy, Walaa

doi:10.21608/bijpt.2024.328345.1043

Reflex Rolling Versus Lung Squeezing Techniques on Pulmonary Functions in Premature Neonate with Pneumonia

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ El mansoura

² Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa, Egypt

³ Department of Pediatrics,Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Egypt

⁴ Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics and its Surgery, Faculty ofPhysical Therapy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa, Egypt

10.21608/bijpt.2024.328345.1043

Abstract

Background: Respiratory complications are a major contributor to neonatal
morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries. These issues are
predominantly observed in premature neonates and frequently include conditions such as
respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and pneumonia, often necessitating ventilatory
support or supplemental oxygen. Purpose: To compare the effect of reflex rolling and
lung squeezing techniques on pulmonary functions in premature neonates with
pneumonia. Methods: Neonates were randomly assigned into two equal groups from
both sexes with 12 neonates in each group. (Group A and B), both groups received a
specific physical therapy program for 15 min., while Group (A) received a reflex rolling
technique and Group (B) received a lung squeezing technique. For two successive
weeks, the intervention program was implemented for 20 min, two sessions/day, five
times a week for both groups. The severity of respiratory distress was measured using
the Silverman-Andersen Scale, Respiratory Rate was measured using a monitor (Hunt
Leigh Healthcare /United Kingdom) at baseline and after two weeks of intervention for
both groups and the period of hospitalization was determined by subtracting the date of
starting physical therapy program from the date of discharge. Results: At the beginning
of the intervention, there were no statistically significant differences between the two
study groups (P > 0.05). However, following two weeks of intervention, both groups
exhibited significant improvement in all the variables including; the severity of
respiratory distress and the respiratory rate at discharge as compared to the measured
admission values. Furthermore, the Lung Squeezing group had a noticeably decreased
period of hospitalization (P < 0.05) compared to the Reflex Rolling group. Conclusion:
The present study concludes that reflex rolling and lung squeezing are effective methods
in improving all outcome measures in preterm neonates with pneumonia with favoring
for the lung squeezing method in reducing the period of hospitalization, and both
techniques can be applied safely in clinical settings

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