Whole-body vibration in neonatal transport: a review of current knowledge and future research challenges

I Goswami; S Redpath; R G Langlois; J R Green; K S Lee; H E A Whyte

doi:10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2020.105051

Whole-body vibration in neonatal transport: a review of current knowledge and future research challenges

Early Hum Dev. 2020 Jul:146:105051. doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2020.105051. Epub 2020 May 6.

Authors

I Goswami¹, S Redpath², R G Langlois³, J R Green⁴, K S Lee¹, H E A Whyte⁵

Affiliations

¹ Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
² Department of Paediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario and University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
³ Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Carleton University, Canada.
⁴ Department of Systems and Computer Engineering, Carleton University, Canada.
⁵ Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: hilary.whyte@sickkids.ca.

PMID: 32464450
DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2020.105051

Abstract

Interfacility transport to tertiary care for high-risk neonates has become an integral part of equitable access to optimal perinatal healthcare. Excellence in clinical care requires expertise in transport medicine and the coordination of safe transport processes. However, concerns remain regarding environmental stressors involved in the transportation of sick high-risk neonates, including noise and vibration. In order to mitigate the potential deleterious effects of these physical stressors during transport, further knowledge of the burden of exposure, injury mechanisms and engineering interventions/modifications as adjuncts during transport would be beneficial. We reviewed the current literature with a focus on the contribution of new and emerging technologies in the transport environment with particular reference to whole-body vibration. This review intends to highlight what is known about vibration as a physical stressor in neonates and areas for further research; with the goal to making recommendations for minimizing these stressors during transport.

Keywords: Acceleration; Neonatal transport; Safety; Vibration exposure; Vibration isolation; Whole-body vibration.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Ambulances
Equipment Design
Humans
Incubators, Infant*
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature
Transportation of Patients* / methods
Vibration / adverse effects*