Avaliação dos efeitos da hidroterapia no tratamento de lactentes prematuros

Abstract

Introduction: Hidrotherapy in premature infants provides a facilitation of movements and in addition to the liquid environment offer a motor pre-stimulus, which makes it easier fot later development in the soil. Objective: To verify the effectiveness of hydrotherapy in the motor development of these premature infants when compared without early intervention. Methods: This is a prospective clinical trial. The sample consisted of three participants classifield as premature between 6 and 12 months of chronological age. Personal data on premature infants and their mothers were collected in na evaluation form. They underwent na assessment of motor development using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), afther this assessment was performed 15 days in aquatic physiotherapy with the Halliwick method on a continuous basis, and ended with the reassessment by AIMS on the 16th day. Results: Of the three infants who participated in the study, two were black and two were female. Among them, the number 1 infant had 5 absences from 15 visits, the number 2 infant had 6 absences and the number 3 infant showed attendance to the treatment and did not have any absences. All consultations took place without complications and without the need for interruotion due to changes in the behavioral status of infants. Conclusion: Continuous treatment has been shown to be effective in premature infants, improving motor development, especially in the prone posture and in those assiduous to treatment.