Outline the potential benefits and risks of the provision of physiotherapy to the critically ill patient.
There is still significant debate about the role of routine physiotherapy, but areas of physiotherapy
with their potential benefit include:
• Optimization of ventilation/respiratory function
• Assistance in weaning
• Advice on positioning of chest for improving ventilation
• Joint protection
• Minimise muscle damage, soft tissue injury
• Muscle tone maintenance particularly in the neurological ICU patient
• Early rehabilitation/mobilization
• Liaison with medical and nursing staff
Potential risks/complications of physiotherapy techniques listed above include:
• Deterioration in gas exchange
• CVS instability
• Barotrauma
• Rise in ICP
• Increased patient pain, stress and anxiety
The role of physiotherapy is discussed in Question 24 from the second paper of 2013.