Effectiveness of Therapeutic Positioning on Preterm Infants in the NICU

Abstract

In this systematic review, we examine the potential positive impacts that positioning techniques and devices can have on physiological, neurological, and developmental outcomes in preterm infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This paper describes the reasoning behind the beneficial effects of positioning strategies and how they can lead to healthy development. Due to the stress-inducing, high intensity environment of the NICU, non-invasive interventions that promote healthy physiological and neurological responses are undeniably necessary. Positioning techniques such as skin-to-skin contact, the use of different devices, and varying positions all have evidence supporting the effectiveness of positioning on developmental responses and outcomes. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners are positioning professionals, making their role in the NICU very valuable.