D is c u s s io n
We analyzed physical therapist treatment
of 86 patients admitted to a
university NICU with SAH, SDH,
ICH, or trauma with regard to safety,
NICU or post-NICU status, and invasive
support and monitoring. First,
we found that physical therapy can
be safely performed in the NICU.
Only a single treatment session (out
of 293 reviewed) was discontinued,
secondary' to an increase in the ICP.
There were no reports of adverse
events associated with a physical
therapy session. Second, physical
therapy was performed less frequently
and with a lower intensity in
the NICU than in the post-NICU setting.
Finally, patients requiring
mechanical ventilation or ICP monitoring
received less frequent and less
intensive physical therapy than
those who did not require mechanical
ventilation or ICP monitoring.