The effects of complications and comorbidities on physical therapy duration in children with pneumonia

Abstract

Introduction/Objective Physical therapy aims to improve airway clearance, breathing, and enhance gas exchange. It is widely used as an additional therapy in children with pneumonia. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of complications and comorbidities on physical therapy duration in children with pneumonia. Methods We conducted a retrospective descriptive study including 40 children with pneumonia admit-ted to a tertiary children’s hospital. Study participants were divided into two groups – a group with and without complications and a group with and without comorbidities. All children received physical therapy one time daily five days a week plus standard treatment for pneumonia. Physical therapy procedures that were applied were chest physical therapy and kinesiotherapy. Results Chest physical therapy (p < 0.001) and kinesiotherapy (p = 0.024) were applied significantly longer in the group with complications versus those without complications. Chest physical therapy was applied significantly longer in the group with comorbidities versus the group without comorbidities (p < 0.001), while there was no difference regarding duration of kinesiotherapy in the group with and without comorbidities (p = 0.239). Conclusion Our results show that the presence of complications and/or comorbidities significantly prolongs the duration of chest physical therapy in children with pneumonia. © 2023, Serbia Medical Society. All rights reserved.