Patterns of blood pressure and pulse frequency in infants during Vojta therapy
Monatsschr Kinderheilkd, 131 (10):
716--720 (October 1983)Abstract
In twenty infants aged seven weeks on average blood pressure and pulse frequency were measured during physiotherapy according to Vojta. At one of the exercises ("reflex reversion") blood pressure increased at an average of 60 mm Hg compared with the basic value under rest conditions. At another exercise ("reflex supporting") blood pressure reached about 52 mm Hg higher values as under rest conditions. The pulse frequency, however, showed a less impressive increase: it corresponded approximately to the value measured during crying. As probable causes for the increase of blood pressure are discussed: sustained muscle contractions, varied intrathoracal pressure conditions, and the emotional irritations of the infants. In infants with cardiovascular disease the increased strain during physiotherapy according to Vojta should be taken into account as an additional risk.