Abstract
Despite widespread practice, there is very little, high-level evidence supporting
the indications for and effectiveness of cardiopulmonary/chest physiotherapy (CPT)
in critically ill infants and children. Conversely, most studies highlight the detrimental
effects or lack of effect of different manual modalities. Conventional CPT should
not be a routine intervention in the pediatric intensive care unit, but can be considered
when obstructive secretions are present which impact on lung mechanics and/or gaseous
exchange and/or where there is the potential for long-term complications. Techniques
such as positioning, early mobilization, and rehabilitation have been shown to be
beneficial in adult intensive care patients; however, little attention has been paid
to this important area of practice in pediatric intensive care units. This article
presents a narrative review of chest physiotherapy in pediatric critical illness,
including effects, indications, precautions, and specific treatment modalities and
techniques.
Keywords
chest physiotherapy - intensive care - rehabilitation - pediatric - physiotherapy
