title: Outcome of physical therapy intervention on ventilator weaning and functional status.
abstract: Our study aimed to understand the characteristics of ventilator dependence in patients at a respiratory care center and the potential effects of physical therapy on ventilator weaning and patients' functional status. Prospective data collection consisted of the following: (1) demographic data, including name, gender, age, diagnosis, the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation as a severity of the disease, modified Glasgow Coma Scale, mobility at the time of admission, and days of hospitalization; (2) Rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI) as a predictive indicator of ventilator weaning, including indicators of ventilator weaning were collected from the respiratory flow sheet; and (3) Barthel index. Between July 1 and December 31, 2007, 126 patients were admitted to the respiratory care center, and those who required mechanical ventilation for more than 14 days were enrolled. Fifty-five subjects received physical therapy. The RSBI in patients who received physical therapy was 75.7 +/- 37.9 before therapy and 80.0 +/- 48.5 afterwards, while the Barthel index increased from 0.8 +/- 1.4 to 1.9 +/- 2.5 (p < 0.05). The RSBI decreased as time of physical therapy lengthened, but not significantly (r = 0.12, p = 0.44). The success rate of ventilator weaning in patients receiving physical therapy intervention versus non-physical therapy intervention was 58.2% and 40.9%, respectively. The results indicated that lengthening the physical therapy intervention time enhanced the ventilator weaning success rate while mobility was not affected (r = -0.11, p = 0.41). Physical therapy may be offered to ventilator-dependent patients in line with their individual needs to improve or maintain basic mobility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Pei-Hsuan
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Chuan-Sheng
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yen-Ching
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chih-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jen-Yu
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Jhi-Jhu
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Tung-Heng
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: I-Chun
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: Ming-Shyan
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015300:Ventilator Weaning; D055815:Young Adult