Effect of application of the thoracoabdominal rebalancing (TAR) method in moderate premature children: randomized and controlled clinical trial.

Objective: To analyze the effect of the thoracoabdominal rebalancing (TAR) method on respiratory biomechanics, respiratory discomfort, pain sensation, and physiological parameters in moderate preterm newborns, compared to a control group.

Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted in a neonatal intensive care unit. The evaluation included: Neonatal Infant Pain Scale, physiological parameters, Silverman-Andersen score, and biomechanics (thoracic cirtometry and Charpy angle). The newborns were randomized into the TAR group (n=17) or control group (n=13) and subjected to the slow expiratory flow acceleration technique (SEFA). The evaluation of a single session was performed three times: before, after, and 30 minutes after the intervention.

Results: In the intergroup comparison, there was a significant difference in respiratory rate 30 minutes after the intervention. There was no significant difference in intra- and intergroup comparisons for pain and respiratory discomfort. Regarding biomechanics, there was a significant difference in the TAR group in the Charpy angle (between assessments 1 and 2), in the axillary cirtometry (between assessments 1 and 3), and in the xiphoid process (between assessments 2 and 3). In the control group, a significant difference was observed in the axillary line (between assessments 1 and 2; 2 and 3).

Conclusions: The TAR method showed a positive effect on respiratory rate and respiratory biomechanics when compared to the control group. In both groups, the techniques did not promote respiratory discomfort or pain sensation, making them safe techniques for this population.