Open AccessAdvances in the rehabilitation of intensive care unit acquired weakness
Author(s) -
Antonino Chillura,
Alessia Bramanti,
Francesco Tartamella,
Maria Francesca Pisano,
Elvira Clemente,
Marzia Lo Scrudato,
G. Cacciato,
Simona Portaro,
Rocco Salvatore Calabrò,
Antonino Naro
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.59
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1536-5964
pISSN - 0025-7974
DOI - 10.1097/md.0000000000020939
Subject(s) - medicine , rehabilitation , physical therapy , weakness , intensive care unit , regimen , physical medicine and rehabilitation , activities of daily living , muscle weakness , intensive care medicine , surgery
Traditional physiotherapy is currently the best approach to manage patients with intensive care unit acquired weakness (ICUAW). We report on a patient with ICUAW, who was provided with an intensive, in-patient regimen, that is, conventional plus robot-assisted physiotherapy. Aim of this case study was to assess the efficacy of a combined approach (conventional plus robot-assisted physiotherapy), on muscle strength, overall mobility, and disability burden in a patient with ICUAW in post-ICU intensive rehabilitation setting. Patient concerns: A 56-years-old male who was unable to stand and walk independently after hospitalization in an Intensive Care Unit. He initially was provided with daily sessions of conventional physiotherapy for 2 months, with mild results. Diagnosis: The patient was affected by ICUAW. Intervention: Given that the patient showed a relatively limited improvement after conventional physiotherapy, he was provided with daily sessions of robot-aided training for upper and lower limbs and virtual reality-aided rehabilitation for other 4 months, beyond conventional physiotherapy. Outcomes: At the discharge (6 months after the admission), the patient reached the standing station and was able to ambulate with double support. Conclusions: Our case suggests that patients with ICUAW should be intensively treated in in-patient regimen with robot-aided physiotherapy. Even though our approach deserves confirmation, the combined rehabilitation strategy may offer some advantage in maximizing functional recovery and containing disability.