Acute Hemodynamic Changes Induced by Physiotherapy in Critically Ill Patients: A Prospective Observational Study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: The potential benefits of safe physiotherapy are immense, which may mitigate the devastating functional impairments caused by critical illness. However, there is sparse data on its safety with respect to hemodynamic changes, including the level of vasopressor therapy at which physiotherapy is deemed safe. Materials and methods: The hemodynamic parameters were recorded before, after, and every 5 minutes during physiotherapy in a total of 107 patients. Cardiac output was measured by Doppler ultrasound. Based on the type of physiotherapy, the study participants were grouped into active and passive groups. The frequencies of predefined adverse events were captured. Results: 0.44%. Despite being statistically significant, the small changes after physiotherapy lack clinical significance. Subgroup analysis between the active and passive physiotherapy groups was also done. The incidence of adverse events was 10.2%. Conclusion: Physiotherapy may be well tolerated in critically ill patients, even when there is a requirement for vasopressor support. Transient hemodynamic changes likely reflect physiological compensation for increased oxygen demand during physiotherapy, with low adverse event rates highlighting its safety in the intensive care unit (ICU).(CRTI Registration number: CTRI/2022/09/045766). How to cite this article: Priyanka KJ, Taggarsi DA, Krishna B, Narayan SK. Acute Hemodynamic Changes Induced by Physiotherapy in Critically Ill Patients: A Prospective Observational Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2025;29(4):363-369.
Authors: Bhuvana Krishna, Shiva K Narayan, Priyanka KJ, Dipali A Taggarsi
Institutions: St.John's Medical College Hospital, Narayana Health
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4408996759