title: Analysis of the effect of kinetic therapy on intracranial pressure in comatose neurosurgical patients.
abstract: The use of oscillating beds in the management of immobilized patients has been reported to minimize some of the complications associated with immobility. In this study, 10 patients admitted with a clinical presentation of raised intracranial pressure (ICP) underwent monitoring of their ICP while receiving kinetic therapy as provided by the Roto-Rest treatment table. An analysis of the possible effect that the constant change in position might have on the ICP was carried out. ICP readings were obtained with the patient in each of three bed positions (extreme left, extreme right, and supine) every half hour. Results from correlational analyses indicated that changes in bed position did not differentially affect ICP. The results of this study suggest that the presence of raised ICP should not limit the use of kinetic therapy in an attempt to minimize the complications of immobility in comatose neurosurgical patients.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001513:Beds; D003128:Coma / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D007427:Intracranial Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009068:Movement; D011187:Posture; D012399:Rotation