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"Choose Physical Therapy" for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Clinical Management for Infants Affected by the Opioid Crisis.

Publication ,  Journal Article
McCarty, DB; Peat, JR; O'Donnell, S; Graham, E; Malcolm, WF
Published in: Phys Ther
June 1, 2019

In response to the opioid crisis, the American Physical Therapy Association has strongly advocated for physical therapy as a safe alternative to pharmacological pain management through the "#ChoosePT" campaign and the dedication of a PTJ special issue to the nonpharmacological management of pain. Physical therapists not only play an important role in the rehabilitation of the nearly 2 million adolescents and adults addicted to prescription opioids but also provide care to infants born to mothers with various drug addictions. This Perspective article explores the incidence, pathophysiology, and risk factors for neonatal abstinence syndrome and describes the clinical presentations of withdrawal and neurotoxicity in infants. Discipline-specific recommendations for the physical therapist examination and plan of care, including pharmacological management considerations, are outlined. Nonpharmacological management, including supportive care, feeding, parent education, social aspects of care, and follow-up services, are discussed from a physical therapy perspective. Finally, this article reviews developmental outcomes in infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome and reflects on challenges and future directions of research in this area.

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Published In

Phys Ther

DOI

EISSN

1538-6724

Publication Date

June 1, 2019

Volume

99

Issue

6

Start / End Page

771 / 785

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Rehabilitation
  • Physical Therapy Modalities
  • Opiate Substitution Treatment
  • Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant Care
  • Infant
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Conservative Treatment
 

Citation

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McCarty, D. B., Peat, J. R., O’Donnell, S., Graham, E., & Malcolm, W. F. (2019). "Choose Physical Therapy" for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Clinical Management for Infants Affected by the Opioid Crisis. Phys Ther, 99(6), 771–785. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzz039
McCarty, Dana B., Jennifer R. Peat, Shannon O’Donnell, Elisabeth Graham, and William F. Malcolm. “"Choose Physical Therapy" for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Clinical Management for Infants Affected by the Opioid Crisis.Phys Ther 99, no. 6 (June 1, 2019): 771–85. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzz039.
McCarty DB, Peat JR, O’Donnell S, Graham E, Malcolm WF. "Choose Physical Therapy" for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Clinical Management for Infants Affected by the Opioid Crisis. Phys Ther. 2019 Jun 1;99(6):771–85.
McCarty, Dana B., et al. “"Choose Physical Therapy" for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Clinical Management for Infants Affected by the Opioid Crisis.Phys Ther, vol. 99, no. 6, June 2019, pp. 771–85. Pubmed, doi:10.1093/ptj/pzz039.
McCarty DB, Peat JR, O’Donnell S, Graham E, Malcolm WF. "Choose Physical Therapy" for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Clinical Management for Infants Affected by the Opioid Crisis. Phys Ther. 2019 Jun 1;99(6):771–785.
Journal cover image

Published In

Phys Ther

DOI

EISSN

1538-6724

Publication Date

June 1, 2019

Volume

99

Issue

6

Start / End Page

771 / 785

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Rehabilitation
  • Physical Therapy Modalities
  • Opiate Substitution Treatment
  • Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant Care
  • Infant
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Conservative Treatment