Clinical Outcome in Adult Ventilated Patients Using Multimodality Chest Physiotherapy as Treatment Approach: A Single Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial

Mechanical ventilation is commonly required for critically ill patients. Evidence suggests that preventive measures reduce the high rates of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. However effect of multimodality chest physiotherapy on clinical outcome has been least studied. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of multimodality chest physiotherapy on clinical outcome in adult ventilated patients.

Trial was carried out in 150 bedded ICU of a teaching tertiary care hospital. 125 adult mechanically ventilated patients were included and randomly allocated to 2 groups. Manual hyperinflation (MH) and suctioning was given to the patients in control group (n= 63) and positioning and chest wall vibrations in addition to MH plus suctioning were given to the patients in study group (n= 62) till they were extubated. Both the groups were treated twice a day. Standard care in the form of routine nursing & pharmacological care as advised by intensivist was followed throughout the intervention period.

Data was analyzed using Chi Square test, student t test and z tests. Mean GCS scores were higher in the study group (p=0.000). Rate of ventilator associated pneumonia increased in control group (p=0.032). The rate of successful outcome was higher in the study group (p= 0.000) with 66.1%.Conclusion: Twice daily multimodality chest physiotherapy may be used as a routine therapeutic option to improve outcome and prevent complications.