ABSTRACT
The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is organized to care for newborns who have difficulty in adapting and surviving in the extrauterine environment, due to disturbing pathology, respiratory dysfunction, and prematurity. Rio Grande do Sul (RS) has a high rate of prematurity, above the national average. To assist the newborn, the physical therapist stimulates the respiratory and motor functions with specific techniques. This descriptive observational study aimed to identify the physiotherapeutic techniques used in NICUs in the state of RS. An online questionnaire was applied to physical therapists working in NICUs in RS, with 32 questions related to training and professional performance, working hours, unit data, multiprofessional relationship, and physiotherapeutic technique used. In total, 22 professionals answered the questionnaire, all females (100%), mean age of 30.6 years, mean period since undergraduate education of 6 years, years of professional practice in the NICU ranging from 6 to 15 years (22.7%), and with a graduate degree in the field of Neonatal Physical Therapy (73.3%). Prematurity was the main reason for hospitalization (100%) and the physiotherapeutic conduct most study participants mentioned were therapeutic positioning and aspiration (95.5%) and encouraging crossing the midline (90.9%). We concluded that the physiotherapeutic conducts in this study are consistent with the literature, being relevant and appropriate for the treatment of newborns.
Keywords:
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Newborn; Premature; Physical Therapy Techniques