We described the current physicalth

We described the current physical
therapist practice in the NICU at a
single academic center and demonstrated
that physical therapy can be
safely performed in the NICU. Additionally,
we demonstrated that physical
therapy was performed less frequently
and with less intensity in the
NICU than in the post-NICU setting
and was performed less frequently
and with less intensity in patients
requiring mechanical ventilation or
ICP monitoring in the NICU than in
those who did not require such support.
Despite these findings, a better
understanding about the safety of
starting physical therapy earlier in
the NICU is necessary. Although we
demonstrated that the current intensity of physical therapy was safe and
feasible, further study is needed to
investigate whether the current
intensity of therapy is sufficient to
improve outcomes. Similarly, the
necessary elements of physical therapist
interventions have not been
established. A better understanding
of cognitive and perceptual deficits
as well as the therapies for treating
these deficits is needed. A randomized
controlled trial is needed to
evaluate these issues.