title: Physiotherapy following cardiac surgery: is it necessary during the intubation period?
abstract: This randomised controlled clinical trial investigated whether physiotherapy during the period of mechanical ventilation following cardiac surgery influenced subject outcomes. Two hundred and thirty-six subjects admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) following elective or semi-urgent cardiac surgery were randomised to either a treatment group, which received physiotherapy during the intubated phase, or a control group where physiotherapy was commenced only once the subject was extubated. No significant differences between the two groups were detected for length of intubation period, length of ICU stay, length of hospital stay, maximal daily incentive spirometry values or the incidence of post-operative pulmonary complications. For individuals following routine uncomplicated cardiac surgery, the provision of physiotherapy interventions during the post-operative intubation period does not improve outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Department, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia. shane.patman@health.wa.gov.au
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patman
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sanderson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blackmore
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000379:methods / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003422:Critical Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation / Q000009:adverse effects; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014904:Western Australia