Nationwide Survey of Pulmonary Physical Rehabilitation for Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants in Japan.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the implementation rate and timing of pulmonary physical rehabilitation for very low-birth-weight infants (VLBWI) with respiratory distress syndrome (VLBWIs with RDS) in Japan and clarify the current status and challenges of this intervention.

Methods: This observational study analysed nationwide administrative data associated with the diagnostic procedure combination system in Japan (2014-2019 fiscal year). A total of 16 429 VLBWIs with RDS were included.

Results: The overall rate of pulmonary physical rehabilitation during hospitalisation was 4.1%. Infants who received rehabilitation were more likely to have been born at a gestational age of < 28 weeks and had a birth weight of < 1000 g (p < 0.001). The majority of pulmonary physical rehabilitation interventions lasted 20 min. On average, rehabilitation was initiated approximately 30 days after birth.

Interpretation: The results of this study indicate that pulmonary physical rehabilitation performed during hospitalisation for VLBWIs with RDS is not widespread in Japan. The number of days to intervention may be a key indicator for optimising future pulmonary physical therapy interventions for VLBWIs with RDS.