Which position helps preemies breathe best? new study tests chest physiotherapy

NCT ID NCT05036603

Symptom relief Sponsor: Sanko University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study looked at 60 premature newborns (born between 28-37 weeks) in the neonatal intensive care unit who had breathing problems or were on a ventilator. Researchers compared different chest physiotherapy methods and positions to see which worked best for clearing the lungs. The goal was to find the safest and most effective way to help these fragile babies breathe easier.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: chest physiotherapy
What this could lead to: If successful, this could identify the best chest physiotherapy technique and position to improve breathing in premature babies on ventilators.
What could go wrong: This is a small, completed study (60 infants) comparing acute effects only. Results may not apply to all preterm newborns or predict long-term benefits.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

60 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Apr 2022

Finished

Dec 2024

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

1 day to 45 days

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Preterm newborns born \<37 and \>28 weeks due to MV or CPAP, hospitalized in the NICU and with a voluntary consent form from their families (with segmental lobar collapse as a result of Chest X-Ray, RDS/BPD/HMH/Atelectasis/Pneumonia/ Preterm newborns diagnosed with Chronic Pulmonary Disease or in stable condition with a thick and secretory focus on X-ray) * First-time infants who have not received any chest physiotherapy program Exclusion Criteria: * Newborn infants who have been unstable in the last 2 days (SpO₂ \<60 mmHg, heart rate, blood pressure, persistent apnea, excessive increases in respiratory rate, tachycardia, nasal wing breathing, cyanosis..etc) * Newborn infants with rib fracture, hemoptysis, diaphragmatic hernia, pulmonary hemorrhage, pneumothorax * Those diagnosed with any known heart disease or genetic disease * Those with osteopenia-osteoporosis or thrombocytopenia * Infants with any known neurological diagnosis (Abnormal MRI finding, Hydrocephalus, Chiari Malformation, Asphyxia, Periventricular Leukomolacia (PVL), Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH), Kernicterius, Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), Hydrocephalus) * Preterm infants weighing \<1000 g * Infants born with congenital anomaly (Spina Bifida, Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita..etc) * Newborns undergoing any surgery

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

adult acute respiratory distress syndrome bronchopulmonary dysplasia Hyaline Membrane Disease liver disorder neonatal respiratory failure Premature Birth Pulmonary Atelectasis pulmonary immaturity respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Atelectasis neonatal Bronchopulmonary dysplasia Chronic liver disease Hyaline membrane disease Lobar collapse Mechanical ventilation complication Mechanical ventilation pressure high Neonatal respiratory failure Oxygen toxicity Pneumonia neonatal Premature Preterm birth Respiratory distress syndrome

Which position helps preemies breathe best? new study tests chest physiotherapy

What the study statuses mean