# Respiratory Physiotherapy in Preterm Neonates with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia or Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Evidence and Therapeutic Implications

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how respiratory physiotherapy can help preterm babies with lung issues, showing it improves breathing and reduces hospital stays safely.

## Contribution

The study offers a comprehensive review of physiotherapy techniques for preterm neonates with respiratory conditions, highlighting their safety and effectiveness.

## Key findings

- Respiratory physiotherapy improves oxygenation and reduces hospital stays in preterm neonates.
- Techniques like postural treatment and prolonged slow expiration show no adverse effects.
- Physiotherapy complements medical care and enhances pulmonary mechanics in affected infants.

## Abstract

Background: Preterm birth, affecting more than 13.4 million infants worldwide each year, remains one of the leading causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Among its complications, respiratory distress syndrome and bronchopulmonary dysplasia are predominant contributors to prolonged hospitalization and respiratory support needs. As advances in perinatal care have improved survival, attention has increasingly turned to optimizing respiratory function and reducing complications through non-pharmacological interventions. Respiratory physiotherapy has therefore gained recognition as a valuable adjunct to medical management in this population. Purpose: To provide a comprehensive synthesis of the current clinical evidence regarding respiratory physiotherapy techniques used in preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Summary of Evidence: The available literature describes several physiotherapeutic modalities—including prolonged slow expiration, postural treatment, Vöjta therapy, and gentle mechanical techniques—aimed at improving ventilation, gas exchange, and secretion clearance. Across diverse studies, these interventions have been associated with better oxygenation, improved heart and respiratory rates, shorter mechanical ventilation time, and reduced hospital stay, while showing no relevant adverse effects. Although methodological heterogeneity persists, the consistency of beneficial trends supports their integration into multidisciplinary neonatal care. Conclusions: Respiratory physiotherapy represents a safe and promising therapeutic complement for preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Techniques that combine postural control and controlled expiratory maneuvers appear particularly effective in enhancing pulmonary mechanics and recovery. Future research should focus on standardizing intervention protocols, identifying optimal timing and dosing, and evaluating the long-term respiratory and developmental outcomes of these physiotherapeutic strategies.