Hydrotherapy in neonatology. A systematic review

Abstract

Introduction: Improvements in neonatal care have increased the survival rate of preterm and low birth weight infants, however, the incidence of developmental and motor disorders in these infants has remained almost unchanged. Physiological alterations in this population contribute to their developmental problems.

Objetives: Hydrotherapy may show some benefits in improving the development of preterm infants, hospitalised in neonatal units, by providing desgravitated tactile and kinesthetic stimulation.

Method: A systematic review was conducted between September and November 2019 to determine what benefits can be obtained from hydrotherapy in preterm infants admitted to neonatal units following PRISMA criteria. The databases consulted were PubMed, PEDro, Web of Science, CINHAL, SciELO, Cochrane Library and PsycINFO.

Results: After following the identification, screening and suitability criteria, a total of 4 articles were included in our review for analysis. The following variables were analysed: pain, quality and duration of deep sleep, oxygen saturation, heart and respiratory rate, cortisol levels in saliva and neurological prognosis assessed with general movements (GM).

Conclusions: Hydrotherapy may contribute to the reduction of the harmful effects of neonatal units on infants, promoting their neurological development. In this sense, it could be introduced in the physiotherapy protocols of intervention and management of premature babies in neonatal units.

Key words: Physical therapy modalities, premature infants, hydrotherapy, neonatal intensive care.