Effect of reflex rolling on incubation period in preterms with respiratory distress syndrome / Maha Khairy Elshaarawy ; Supervised Samia Abdelrahman Abdelrahman , Manal Salah Abdelwahab , Mohammed Fakher Hassan Ali

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Growth and Development Disorders in Pediathics

Respiratory distress syndrome is an acute lung disease present at birth which usually affects premature babies. Reflex rolling is tactile stimulation technique used to improve respiration. The purpose of the study was to investigate efficacy of reflex rolling on incubation period in preterms with respiratory distress syndrome. Thirty seven preterm neonates participated in the study, their gestational ages ranged from 30-36 weeks. They were divided into two groups. Group (A); the control group which received medical treatment and conventional chest physical therapy program and Group (B); the study group which received the same medical treatment and conventional chest physical therapy program in addition to reflex rolling technique. The physiotherapy sessions were conducted for 6 days per week until discharge. Duration of ventilation and incubation period were measured. The results showed significant reduction among the study group compared to control group regarding the duration of ventilation as well as incubation period. From the obtained results, it could be concluded that reflex rolling technique was of value in minimizing the duration of the management of preterm babies with respiratory distress syndrome

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