Objective: To examine the effects of hydrokinesiotherapy in a bucket on physiological parameters and clinical outcomes of hospitalized preterm newborns.
Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 34 preterm newborns with low birth weight were randomly allocated into experimental (EG) or control (CG) groups and were assessed four times on two alternate days: pre-intervention, post-intervention, 15 min after the intervention, 30 min after post-intervention. On both days, between pre-and post-intervention, the EG underwent hydrokinesiotherapy in a bucket for 10 min and the CG only had the diaper changed. Physiological parameters and body weight gain were considered primary outcomes. Behavioral state and degree of respiratory distress were secondary outcomes.
Results: Newborns in the EG presented transitory changes in heart and respiratory rates after the intervention. Oxygen saturation was higher in the EG compared to the CG at post-intervention and up to at least 15 min after post-intervention on both days. The EG was in a more active state than the CG at post-intervention on both days. These changes occurred within normal ranges. Body temperature, degree of respiratory distress, and body weight gain did not differ between groups.
Conclusion: The hydrokinesiotherapy caused isolated changes in the physiological parameters and led to a more active behavioral state in hospitalized preterm newborns with low birth weight. These changes did not affect the newborns' clinical conditions. The technique was safe, but clinical outcomes, including body weight gain, were not improved.
Keywords: Hydrotherapy; neonatal intensive care; physiotherapy techniques; prematurity; vital signs.