FEATURES OF THE USE OF THERAPEUTIC EXERCISES IN CHILDREN WITH PNEUMONIA IN THE CHILDREN'S REANIMATION DEPARTMENT

Abstract

Relevance. It has been established that most authors of scientific studies focus on examining the effectiveness of physical therapy (PhT) in children with acute pneumonia during the post-acute and long-term rehabilitation periods, while paying little attention to the acute rehabilitation period, which begins directly in the intensive care unit. There is an urgent need to review and explore possibilities for improving the overall comprehensive approach to the rehabilitation of children with community acquired pneumonia (САР) by applying a set of PhT methods as early as possible in pediatric intensive care settings. Objective of the study. To determine the specifics of applying and evaluate the effectiveness of comprehensive PhT in children with САР hospitalized in the intensive care unit. Materials and methods of the study. Analysis of literature sources; analysis of the nosological structure of pediatric patients treated in the intensive care unit of a regional children’s hospital; clinical research methods; and methods of mathematical statistics. Study population. Twenty adolescents aged 11–13 years diagnosed with acute pneumonia and respiratory failure of grade I or II. The study consisted of a main group and a comparison group with 10 participants in each. Based on an individual approach, a comprehensive PhT program was developed and implemented for children in the main group with САР to be used during the acute rehabilitation period in the intensive care setting. The PhT program for the main group included the following methods: specialized therapeutic exercises from our developed set, special breathing exercises, and additional therapeutic measures as indicated, such as postural bronchial drainage and therapeutic massage with vibration elements. For the comparison group, rehabilitation followed the existing protocol, which involved static breathing exercises (inflating balloons) and therapeutic massage with vibration elements. Effectiveness was monitored based on heart rate, blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂), respiratory rate at rest, and results of functional Stange and Genchi tests. Results and key conclusions. The proposed rehabilitation program facilitated rapid normalization of blood oxygen saturation, a significant reduction in respiratory rate and resting heart rate, and a reliable improvement in functional test outcomes (Stange and Genchi tests). The comprehensive application of PhT methods, tailored to the individual needs of adolescents aged 11–13 years with acute pneumonia and respiratory failure of grade I or II, during the acute rehabilitation period effectively promotes recovery of cardiorespiratory system functions.