A survey of the physiotherapy treatment methods for infants hospitalised with acute airway infections in Sweden

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate what treatment methods physiotherapists in Sweden use for infants 0–24 months hospitalised with acute breathing difficulties due to lower respiratory tract infections. Material and methods: We constructed an anonymous digital survey for paediatric physiotherapists in Sweden. It was distributed by e-mail and was posted on professional websites. Completed forms were obtained from all 21 counties in Sweden. Results: Eighty-eight physiotherapists replied and 52 worked with the target group. Different treatment methods were used, based on the situation and the individual’s symptom. The most common methods involved physical activity and change of the body position. Conclusions: A variety of treatment methods are used by the Swedish physiotherapists. The most commonly used are treatment methods involving frequent changes of the body position and stimulation to physical activity. Thus, the praxis in Sweden seem to differ from methods described in the literature. Methods are chosen depending on the symptoms of the patients. No differences in the choice of treatment methods were found regarding the physiotherapists’ background characteristics.