An investigation of the use of passive movements in intensive care by UK physiotherapists

Physiotherapy. 2010 Sep;96(3):228-33. doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2009.11.014. Epub 2010 Mar 25.

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the current use of passive movements (PMs) by National Health Service (NHS) physiotherapists working with sedated and ventilated patients in critical care settings.

Design: Postal questionnaire.

Setting: All open NHS critical/intensive care units in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Participants: Physiotherapists working in UK NHS critical/intensive care units.

Results: Questionnaires were posted to 246 physiotherapists working in intensive care units; 165 (67%) were returned. One hundred and fifty-two respondents routinely treated ventilated and sedated patients, of which 151 (99%) reported utilising PMs. They were used most commonly (>70%) in patients admitted to critical care with medical, neurological or surgical problems. Respondents reported using a median of five repetitions of PMs once daily, and the majority of respondents took joints to the end of range (>78%). Joints most commonly treated included the shoulder, hip, knee, elbow and ankle. Heart rate and blood pressure were monitored by over 84% of respondents during treatment.

Conclusions: Whilst there is little empirical evidence to underpin the use of PMs, this study found that PMs were used regularly by 99% of respondents working in NHS critical care settings. Further work is now needed to evaluate the immediate and long-term effects of PMs in critically ill patients to inform and develop future practice.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Critical Illness / rehabilitation*
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units / statistics & numerical data*
  • Motion Therapy, Continuous Passive / methods*
  • Respiration, Artificial / methods
  • State Medicine / statistics & numerical data
  • United Kingdom