Efficacy of a Hydrotherapy Program in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Abstract

15 million infants are born premature each year leading to increased neonatal and childhood morbidity and mortality (de Oliveira Tobunaga et al. ,2016). While in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), these infants are exposed to a noisy environment, daily manipulation, and painful procedures that have the potential to impact their clinical stability and neuro-psychomotor development (Novakoski et al., 2018). A level III NICU, located in Carmel, Indiana, developed a hydrotherapy program to mitigate the harsh environment of the NICU and address neuro-motor development in these pre-term infants. The doctoral capstone experience (DCE) aimed to determine the efficacy of the program in improving psychological stability and reducing pain. Pre-and-post data, including physiological parameters and pain, were collected before and after each session. The results showed an overall increase in axillary body temperature, heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR) with a reduction in oxygen saturation (SPO2). Pain was also assessed before and after the intervention. The results, of this current study, suggest hydrotherapy may promote slight irritation. Though hydrotherapy is a safe, low-cost intervention offering several benefits, further studies should be completed and include a larger sample population and randomization before determining efficacy in the NICU.