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  • Original Article
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Effects of motor physical therapy on bone mineralization in premature infants: a randomized controlled study

Journal of Perinatology volume 28, pages 624–631 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To study the effect of physical therapy on bone mineralization, weight gain and growth in preterm infants.

Method:

After fulfilling the inclusion criteria, preterm infants were matched for gestational age and birth weight and then randomly assigned to the physiotherapy group (PG, n=15) and control group (CG, n=14). The PG received motor physical therapy for 15 min daily, 5 times per week until hospital discharge. Bone mineralization was measured by total body dual energy X-ray beam absorptiometry (DEXA) at the onset and end of the study. Statistical analysis was realized by ANCOVA and linear correlation tests.

Result:

The physical therapy group (PG) presented greater body weight gain per day (27.4±2.4 vs 21.01±4.4 g, P<0.001) and length (1.3±0.3 vs 0.8±0.2 cm week−1, P<0.001) than did the control group (CG). Body composition values verified by DEXA were greater for the PG. The mean gain in bone mineral content (BMC) (mg) was greater in the PG (434±247.5 vs −8.9±11.4, P<0.001), as was the mean bone mineral density (BMD) gain (mg cm−2) (8.4±5.6 vs −3.1±5.5, P<0.001). The gain in bone area (BA,cm2) was 10.3±5 in the PG vs 1.5 ±2 in the CG (P<0.001). The gain in lean mass (LM) (g) in the PG was also greater than in the CG (271.1±21.4 vs 109.1±1.0, P<0.009). The fat mass (g) was similar between the groups (P=0.432).

Conclusion:

These results showed that physiotherapy in preterm infants produced greater gains in growth, body weight, BMC, BMD, BA and LM.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiotherapy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Graduate Studies in Universidade Luterana do Brasil, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil

    C M Vignochi

  2. Department of Neonatology, Graduate Studies at the College of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and the Federal Foundation of Medical Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil

    E Miura

  3. Department of Endocrinology, Bachelor's and Graduate Studies at the College of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Endocrinology Service, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil

    L H Canani

Authors
  1. C M Vignochi
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  2. E Miura
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C M Vignochi.

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Conflicts of interest: Nothing to declare.

Funding source: FIPE (Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre) and Graduate Studies in Pediatrics, Federal University of RS.

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Vignochi, C., Miura, E. & Canani, L. Effects of motor physical therapy on bone mineralization in premature infants: a randomized controlled study. J Perinatol 28, 624–631 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2008.60

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