Open AccessEffect of physical therapy on muscle strength, respiratory muscles and functional parameters in patients with intensive care unit‐acquired weakness
Author(s) -
YosefBrauner Orna,
Adi Nimrod,
Ben Shahar Tamar,
Yehezkel Ester,
Carmeli Eli
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the clinical respiratory journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.789
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 1752-699X
pISSN - 1752-6981
DOI - 10.1111/crj.12091
Subject(s) - medicine , intensive care unit , mechanical ventilation , intensive care , sitting , physical therapy , weakness , randomized controlled trial , intensive care medicine , anesthesia , surgery , pathology
Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an intensive physical therapy protocol in patients who contract ‘intensive care unit‐acquired weakness’ ( ICUAW ), in terms of muscle strength, breathing and functional indices. Methods This was a prospective, single‐blinded study in a general hospital intensive care unit ( ICU ). Patients who required mechanical ventilation longer than 48 h and who were expected to remain mechanically ventilated for at least another 48 h were randomly divided into two intervention groups: group I ( n = 9) – the routine care group, received physical therapy according to our daily custom protocol; and group II ( n = 9) – the intensive treatment group, were treated by the same protocol twice a day. The main outcome measures included the M edical R esearch C ouncil ( MRC ) physical strength examination, maximal inspiratory pressure ( MIP ), hand grip dynamometer and sitting balance test. Results Significant strength improvement from first ( T 1) to second ( T 2) measurements was demonstrated for variables MIP and MRC physical strength examination in favor of the intensive treatment group ( P < 0.05). The intensive treatment group also required shorter intensive care length of stay than the routine care group ( P = 0.043). Conclusions It is possible that an intensive therapy protocol may facilitate the initial recovery process in patients who suffer from ICUAW .