Search

Background Millions of people face critical illnesses and need to be hospitalized in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) annually worldwide. Despite the fact that survival rates of these patients have increased, they develop various cognitive, psychological and functional impairments. This study aims to investigate the significance of the recovery interventions following intensive care unit discharge, the effectiveness of the rehabilitative protocols and their possible deficits. Methods MEDLINE (PubMed) and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) were searched for studies analyzing the recovery potentials post-ICU among adults, who spent at least 48 hours at the ICU. Methodological quality of the studies was assessed via PEDro Scale. Results Nine randomized controlled trials were included. These took place mainly at specialized rehabilitation gyms as well as patients home environments. Studies analyses showed that treatment group showed improvement in functional ability in relation to control group. Nevertheless, differences between two groups were not statistically significant (P Conclusions The included rehabilitation programs were determined to be effective. Although they didn’t prove any statistically significant difference between groups, quality of life enhancements and stress reduction were reported. Hence, new randomized controlled trials are required in order to provide more accurate data on the potential benefits of rehabilitation strategies among post-ICU patients.

Background: Virtual Reality (VR) is a new technology used more and more in clinical trial. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of immersive VR as a rehabilitation approach of cognitive functions. Method and Material: A systematic literature review was conducted in the electronic databases of PubMed, Cochrane, OTseeker and PsycINFO for articles published until August 2021. The main search terms were "immersive virtual reality," and "cognitive rehabilitation". The research was strictly limited in immersive technologies and adult patients suffering from neurological disorder or a traumatic injury or elderly with cognitive decline, and no reviews are included. Totally, 16 citations reviewed. Results: All intervention studies reported improvements either in cognitive functions or in stress management and relaxation. In particular, most of the studies demonstrated improvement in attention (N=6) but also in executive functions (N=3), in memory (N=5) and in navigation skills (N=1). Regarding safety and feasibility, most of the participants in the studies completed successfully the tasks and did not report stimulation sickness. Conclusions: The available limited data indicate that immersive VR environments can a) be feasible and safe and b) have a positive impact in cognitive functions in the dynamic process of rehabilitation. Further research is warranted in large-scale longitudinal clinical trials in various patients’ groups in order to compare the effects of immersive and non-immersive VR interventions. Future studies should further investigate the long-term impact on cognitive functions in interventions using immersive VR.

Εισαγωγή: Οι ασθενείς που εξέρχονται από τη Μονάδα Εντατικής Θεραπείας (ΜΕΘ) παρουσιάζουν σημαντικά ελλείμματα που επηρεάζουν τη λειτουργικότητα και την ποιότητα ζωής τους. Σκοπός: Σκοπός αυτής της τυχαιοποιημένης τυφλής μελέτης ήταν η αξιολόγηση της επίδρασης του Ηλεκτρονευρομυϊκού Ερεθισμού (ΗΝΜΕ) και ενός προγράμματος άσκησης στη μυϊκή ισχύ των βαρέως πασχόντων κατά την έξοδο από το Νοσοκομείο. Μεθοδολογία: 128 ασθενείς (83♂/45♀) που εξήλθαν από τη ΜΕΘ οι οποίοι είχαν παραμείνει υπό μηχανικό αερισμό για > 72 ώρες και μπορούσαν να εκτελέσουν απλές εντολές, τυχαιοποιήθηκαν κατά επίπεδα (ηλικία & MRC) στην ομάδα ΗΝΜΕ ή στην ομάδα ελέγχου. Στην ομάδα ΗΝΜΕ έγινε καθημερινή εφαρμογή ΗΝΜΕ και προγράμματος ασκήσεων ενώ στην ομάδα ελέγχου έγινε εφαρμογή εικονικού ΗΝΜΕ και δέχτηκαν τη συνήθη θεραπευτική παρέμβαση. Η κλίμακα μυϊκής ισχύος Medical Research Council (MRC) και η δυναμομέτρηση χειρός χρησιμοποιήθηκαν για την αξιολόγηση της μυϊκής ισχύος. Η λειτουργικότητα αξιολογήθηκε με την κλίμακα Functional Independence Measure (FIM) και η ποιότητα ζωής με τα ερωτηματολόγια Euro-Qol 5D (Euro- Quality of Life) και Nottingham Health Profile. Αποτελέσματα: Η MRC μυϊκής ισχύος κατά την έξοδο από τη ΜΕΘ και το νοσοκομείο δεν διέφερε μεταξύ των δυο ομάδων. Η ΔMRC% έτεινε να είναι υψηλότερη στην ομάδα ΗΝΜΕ κατά την 1η και 2η εβδομάδα παραμονής στο Νοσοκομείο. Στους ασθενείς με MRC

Background According to the literature, 20–30% of intubated patients are difficult to wean off mechanical ventilation and have a prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay with detrimental effects on muscle strength, functional ability and quality of life. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) via a threshold device has been proposed as an effective exercise for minimising the effects of mechanical ventilation on respiratory muscles of critically ill patients with prolonged weaning. In addition, high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen has been proved to provide efficient support for both high- and low-risk patients after extubation, thus preventing re-intubation. Material and methods A randomised controlled trial was designed to assess the efficacy of combining IMT and HFNC as therapeutic strategies for patients with high risk for weaning failure. Once patients with prognostic factors of difficult weaning are awake, ventilated with support settings and cooperative, they will be randomised to one of the two following study groups: intervention group (IMT and HFNC) and control group (IMT and Venturi mask). IMT will start as soon as possible. Each allocated oxygen delivery device will be applied immediately after extubation. IMT intervention will continue until patients' discharge from ICU. The primary outcome is the rate of weaning failure. Secondary outcomes are maximal inspiratory and expiratory strength, endurance of respiratory muscles, global muscle strength, functional ability and quality of life along with duration of ventilation (days) and ICU and hospital length of stay. Conclusion The present study could significantly contribute to knowledge of how best to treat patients with difficult weaning and high risk of re-intubation., This RCT will provide a therapeutic strategic plan for difficult-to-wean patients, minimising their intubation period and length of ICU stay https://bit.ly/37CkxTB

Purpose Intensive Care Unit (ICU) survivors experience muscle weakness leading to restrictions in functional ability. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been an alternative to exercise in critically ill patients. The aim of our study was to investigate its effects along with individualized rehabilitation on muscle strength of ICU survivors. Material and methods Following ICU discharge, 128 patients (age: 53 ± 16 years) were randomly assigned to daily NMES sessions and individualized rehabilitation (NMES group) or to control group. Muscle strength was assessed by the Medical Research Council (MRC) score and hand grip at hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes were functional ability and hospital length of stay. Results MRC, handgrip, functional status and hospital length of stay did not differ at hospital discharge between groups (p > 0.05). ΔMRC% one and two weeks after ICU discharge tended to be higher in NMES group, while it was significant higher in NMES group of patients with ICU-acquired weakness at two weeks (p = 0.05). Conclusions NMES and personalized physiotherapy in ICU survivors did not result in greater improvement of muscle strength and functional status at hospital discharge. However, in patients with ICU-aw NMES may be effective. The potential benefits of rehabilitation strategies should be explored in larger number of patients in future studies. Clinical trial registration: www.Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01717833

ICU acquired Weakness (ICUaW) is a common complication of critical illness. The aim of our study was the assessment of quality of life (QoL) and functional ability of patients with ICUaW, 6 months post hospital discharge.Eight hundred seventy eight consecutive patients who had been discharged from the ICU were evaluated and 128 of them, 36 with ICUaW, were eligible for the study. Muscle strength was evaluated with MRC and Hand grip dynamometry. The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) was used to evaluate the functional ability while QoL was assessed with the Nottingham Health Profile and with the SF-36 questionnaire.Patients with ICUaW continued to have low MRC at hospital discharge, [53(49-56) vs. 59(58-60), p 0.05]. Patients who developed ICUaW had lower Hand grip dynamometry at ICU, hospital discharge and 6 months after (p 0.05). Patients with ICUaW have significantly lower FIM score at hospital discharge, 3 and 6 months post hospital discharge (p 0.05) and persistently lower QoL at 3 and 6 months post hospital discharge(p 0.05).ICUaW is associated with persistent deficiencies in functional ability and Qol leading to a prolonged period of recovery. Further research is needed in the field of prevention and targeted rehabilitation of functionality in this patient group.

Background Intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW) is a common complication, associated with significant morbidity. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has shown promise for prevention. NMES acutely affects skeletal muscle microcirculation; such effects could mediate the favorable outcomes. However, optimal current characteristics have not been defined. This study aimed to compare the effects on muscle microcirculation of a single NMES session using medium and high frequency currents. Methods ICU patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis of three to five days duration and patients with ICUAW were studied. A single 30-minute NMES session was applied to the lower limbs bilaterally using current of increasing intensity. Patients were randomly assigned to either the HF (75 Hz, pulse 400 μs, cycle 5 seconds on - 21 seconds off) or the MF (45 Hz, pulse 400 μs, cycle 5 seconds on - 12 seconds off) protocol. Peripheral microcirculation was monitored at the thenar eminence using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to obtain tissue O2 saturation (StO2); a vascular occlusion test was applied before and after the session. Local microcirculation of the vastus lateralis was also monitored using NIRS. Results Thirty-one patients were randomized. In the HF protocol (17 patients), peripheral microcirculatory parameters were: thenar O2 consumption rate (%/minute) from 8.6 ± 2.2 to 9.9 ± 5.1 (P = 0.08), endothelial reactivity (%/second) from 2.7 ± 1.4 to 3.2 ± 1.9 (P = 0.04), vascular reserve (seconds) from 160 ± 55 to 145 ± 49 (P = 0.03). In the MF protocol: thenar O2 consumption rate (%/minute) from 8.8 ± 3.8 to 9.9 ± 3.6 (P = 0.07), endothelial reactivity (%/second) from 2.5 ± 1.4 to 3.1 ± 1.7 (P = 0.03), vascular reserve (seconds) from 163 ± 37 to 144 ± 33 (P = 0.001). Both protocols showed a similar effect. In the vastus lateralis, average muscle O2 consumption rate was 61 ± 9%/minute during the HF protocol versus 69 ± 23%/minute during the MF protocol (P = 0.5). The minimum amplitude in StO2 was 5 ± 4 units with the HF protocol versus 7 ± 4 units with the MF protocol (P = 0.3). Post-exercise, StO2 increased by 6 ± 7 units with the HF protocol versus 5 ± 4 units with the MF protocol (P = 0.6). These changes correlated well with contraction strength. Conclusions A single NMES session affected local and systemic skeletal muscle microcirculation. Medium and high frequency currents were equally effective.