BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Respiratory problems like RDS, pneumonia and acute respiratory failure in premature neonates are one of the leading causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Decreased oxygenation and excess accumulation of secretion is common leading to increase in airway resistance, and complications like atelectasis requiring prolonged ventilatory assistance or oxygen support. Apart from convention chest physiotherapy techniques like percussion and vibration newer techniques like LST and Vojta have been used to clear secretions, restore homogenous inflation of the lungs and improve oxygenation. In this study, we compared the effectiveness of CPT, LST and reflex rolling on oxygenation in preterm neonates with respiratory problems, in terms of blood gases and oxygen saturation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized controlled trial included 60 neonates with RDS and pneumonia with gestational age of 30 to 37 weeks under O2 therapy. The participants were randomly allocated into 3 groups. Group A received CPT, group B received LST with CPT and group C received reflex rolling with CPT for 20 minutes duration per session at 0, 4th and 8th hour, three sessions per day, for a period of 2 weeks. Pre and post intervention values of pulse oximetry and arterial blood gas was recorded to analyze oxygenation. Chest x-rays were taken on day 1 and last day. RESULTS: The results showed within group improvements in SPO2, PaO2 which was statistically significant (p value = 0.480 and 0.258 respectively). Chest radiographs demonstrated re-expansion of collapsed airways. CONCLUSION: The present study concludes that the three treatment techniques viz CPT, LST technique and reflex rolling are safe and effective for improving Oxygenation in preterm neonates with respiratory problems and can be used in clinical settings.

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