title: Effect of physical therapy on muscle strength, respiratory muscles and functional parameters in patients with intensive care unit-acquired weakness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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 Medical Research Council (MRC) physical strength examination, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), hand grip dynamometer and sitting balance test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant strength improvement from first (T1) to second (T2) 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.
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Department, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel.
authors.forename: Orna
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yosef-Brauner
authors.forename: Nimrod
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Adi
authors.forename: Tamar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ben Shahar
authors.forename: Ester
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yehezkel
authors.forename: Eli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carmeli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003422:Critical Care; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007320:Inspiratory Capacity; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D004856:Postural Balance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Medical Research Council physical strength examination; intensive care unit acquired weakness; maximal inspiratory pressure; sitting balance