Does therapeutic positioning of preterm infants impact upon optimal health outcomes? A literature review

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 15 million babies are born prematurely each year worldwide (WHO, 2015). Early intervention in premature babies is essential to promote their neurodevelopment, comfort, security and growth. This literature review looked at the effectiveness of therapeutic positioning for premature babies as an intervention, which can be carried out as part of family-centred care alongside medical and nursing interventions. Thematic analysis of the literature revealed three themes: the effect of therapeutic positioning on neurodevelopment and the stress response, the effect on sleep state and the effect on physiological stability. The review discusses benefits of therapeutic positioning and highlights implications for nursing practice, including the need to be aware of premature babies' behavioural cues of distress and the role of the nurse in providing reassurance and education to families.