Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is defined as the reflux of gastric and/or intestinal contents into the esophagus. It is a common phenomenon, seen in 40-65% of infants and is due to transient relaxations of the lower esophageal sphincter.Many infants have daily episodes of GER, of short duration after meals, during sleepeven while awake. Its early diagnosis helps towards early intervention and successful treatment of complications. Furthermore, it contributes to improving the infant’s and the family’s quality of life. Physiotherapy as an adjunctive therapeutic intervention seems to be able to contribute significantly to the improvement of GER in infants. The goal is to improve movement, body posture, cardiorespiratory function and coordination in order to limit the phenomenon. Aim:The main purpose of this study was to investigate whether infants with GER, in addition to dietary and other instructions and any pharmaceutical intervention, also undergo physical therapy treatment to improve their symptoms. Additional objectives were to record the infant’s and the family’s quality of life, and to explore parents’ expectations of a physical therapy program. Patients and methods:Thirty infants with GER participated in the study. The research was conducted in Thessaloniki, Greece, in a regular pediatric gastroenterology clinic. The questionnaire was given to the parents and completed under the supervision of the researcher in case of need for clarification. Results:None of the 30 infants studied was following a physical therapy program. In addition, GER was found to have a great impact on parents’ quality of life, since 80% answered that they were significantly affected, not knowing how to manage the condition. Regarding the need for physical therapy intervention and informing parents, 70% answered that they would like to have information and help from a physical therapist. A percentage of 80% of parents were in favor of a physical therapy program that could contribute to the reductioneven the elimination of their children’s medication. Conclusions:Gastroesophageal reflux affects a large percentage of infants. In severe cases, if not treated in time, it can affect the health of young infants and the families’ quality of life. Most parents seem to trust a physical therapy program to improve their children’s health for the fastest recovery from GER. This research can be a pilot for further studies, in the context of a more holistic intervention by doctors and physical therapists in infants with GER symptoms.

Psychological harassment in the workplace is a silent epidemic nowadays and verbal abuse is the most common form of harassment in the health professions. The apparentdeeper causes of the phenomenon vary, making it difficult to investigate but at the same time necessary because of its serious impact on the individual, the organization and society. Given the characteristics of pediatric physiotherapy, as a specialized profession requiring interdisciplinary collaboration and direct contact with the pain and dysfunction of the delicate group of pediatric patients and their families, we can assume the existence of verbal abuse in this job. In this case, there are negative consequences for the dynamics of the treatment team and the quality of medical care. Purpose: This study aims to investigate the verbal abuse against physiotherapists in pediatrics, in Greece

Aim: To record the effects of AN-t on the body growth and function of the cardiovascular and respiratory system of preterm infants during the first 5 days period of the study. Material - Method: 24 preterm infant, with gestational age ≤ 32 weeks(after parental consent) were grouped equally into the Intervention (IG) (n = 12) and Control (CG) (n = 12) group with 1: 1 representation for gestational age and birth weight. On the IG an original standardized intervention protocol (AN-t), specifically designed for the study,was appliedbeyond the daily conventional clinical care. Results: There was a twofold change in the daily weight gain rate between the intervals (I1) and (I2) , before and during the intervention period respectively, with p = 0.033 in favor of IG. Statistical significance was also observed in the reduction of heart rate at the end of each session compared to the start in both morning (p = 0.006) and afternoon (p = 0.002) sessions. Similar significance was recorded to the increase in O2 saturation at the end of each session (morning- afternoon) with p = 0.003. Conclusions: The intervention protocol (AN-t) seems to be safe as an intervention protocol in order to promote active motion in premature medically stable neonates, since no disturbing signs from the respiratorycardiovascular system were presented. Furthermore A.N-t seems to favor neonatal growth but the responsiblemechanisms for this observation are not yet elucidated. keywords : Preterm neonates, kinesthetic stimuli, compressions, daily weight gain rate,

Aim: Children with Down syndrome are vulnerable to respiratory tract infections due to anatomical deformities. The aim of the present study wasto evaluate the effect of game-based breathing exercise on respiratory tract infections in children with Down syndrome. Methods: Twelve children with Down syndromewere randomly allocated into 2 groups, the intervention and the control group.The intervention group participated in game-based breathing exercise for 20 minutes a day, 2 days a week, for a period of 3 months. For the statistical analysis we use the Friedman Test in SPSS Statistics, a non-parametric alternative test, as we hadrepeated measures. Results: We found a positive effect of respiratory game-based breathing exercise on respiratory tract infections. Conclusion: Respiratory game-based physiotherapy can help children with Down syndrome to reduce respiratory tract infections keywords : Down syndrome, morbidity, respiratory tract infections, respiratory physical therapy

Background: This research attempts to determine the needs of the physiotherapy graduates and the needs emerge when they start their career as professionals. Furthermore, the importance of the creation of a supporting program is being investigated, which will assist graduates and specially those who are interested in working in the field of pediatric physiotherapy. The program will provide solutions to graduates for practicalpsychological issues, which might arise in the first steps of their career and will provide solid guidance and incident handling. Material and methods:92 physiotherapists participated in the study. Those are employed in private physiotherapy centers, public hospitals, school for special needs, recovery centershome-based therapy in Thessaloniki area. The data was collected by using questionnaires during the months of October 2018 to January 2019. Results:Descriptive analysis and exploratory factoring methods were applied for the statistical processing, which resulted in the conclusion that there is a need to support and guide the new physiotherapy graduates, so that they can integrate smoothly into their new professional life and have a successful career. The views of physiotherapists are not affected by their various demographic characteristics. Conclusions: It is necessary to guide the new physiotherapy graduates in general and more particularly in pediatric physiotherapy, through a tutor-based supporting program. keywords : Pediatric Physiotherapy, Tutor-based Supporting program, Mentor