Impact of respiratory physiotherapy in hospitalized infants with acute bronchiolitis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37914/riis.v8i2.480Keywords:
bronchiolitis, respiratory therapy, hospitalization, infantAbstract
Background: acute bronchiolitis can cause significant morbidity due to increased respiratory effort. Treatment is supportive, including oxygen therapy, hydration, and nasal clearance, with no recommendation for the use of bronchodilators, corticosteroid therapy, or respiratory physiotherapy. Objectives: to evaluate the effect of respiratory physiotherapy in hospitalized infants with acute bronchiolitis, considering the existing controversies regarding its use. Methodology: in this retrospective observational cohort study, data from 67 infants hospitalized between 2019 and 2022 at a level I public hospital were analyzed. Approximately 44% underwent physiotherapy, using both conventional and modern techniques. Results: physiotherapy did not reduce the length of hospitalization or the need for oxygen therapy. However, infants who underwent physiotherapy received less antibiotic therapy but more corticosteroid therapy, which may be related to the severity of the cases. No adverse effects associated with physiotherapy were observed. Conclusion: respiratory physiotherapy in infants with bronchiolitis is safe; however, the results suggest that its prescription should be carefully considered, as the lack of standardized protocols and the variety of techniques limit the generalization of the findings. Future research should apply uniform protocols, evidence-based techniques, and take clinical severity into account to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Isabel Correia, Nelma Sampaio, Maria José Barata, Jenny Gonzalez, Luana Lima, Patricia Abreu, Patricia Farinha, Ana Guida Freitas
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