Outcome of Physical Therapy Intervention on Ventilator Weaning and Functional Status

Received 18 September 2009; accepted 28 December 2009.

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.

Key Words: mobility , physical therapy , respiratory care center , weaning from ventilator

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Article Outline

• Abstract

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References

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a Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

b Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

c Department of Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

d Faculty of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Ms I-Chun Chuang, Faculty of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan

PII: S1607-551X(10)70060-7

doi:10.1016/S1607-551X(10)70060-7

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