Effect of Physiotherapy with A Digital Electronic Acupunctoscope on Preventing The Intensive Care Unit-Acquired Muscle Weakness

Shalaby Khalaf Mahran, Ghada; Aly Mahgoub, Asmaa; Adel Mohamed Ibrahim, Bedour; Atiaa Tolba, Asmaa

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2023.293264

Effect of Physiotherapy with A Digital Electronic Acupunctoscope on Preventing The Intensive Care Unit-Acquired Muscle Weakness

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Assistant Professor of Critical Care and Emergency Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University, Egypt.

² Lecturer of Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Minia University, Egypt.

³ Lecturer of Critical Care and Emergency Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University, Egypt

10.21608/ejhc.2023.293264

Abstract

Background: Intensive care unit-acquired muscle weakness (ICU-AMW) is one of the recurrent complications of bed rest among patients in the intensive care units (ICUs). The digital electronic acupunctoscope neuromuscular stimulation can be utilized as an alternative physiotherapy option to mobilize critical ill patients passively in early rehabilitation program. The study aim: This study aimed to assess the effect of physiotherapy with a digital electronic acupunctoscope on preventing the intensive care unit-acquired muscle weakness and improving limbs muscles strength. Research Design and setting: From March to September 2022, this prospective, non-randomized controlled trial was done in two critical care units. Sampling: 60 patients were split evenly between the control and intervention groups, with 30 patients in each. Study tools: Four tools were used in this study; patient characteristics, the Medical Research Council (MRC) Scale, the Sedation Agitation Scale (SAS), and the duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) and the length of stay in ICU. Results: The MRC mean score of the upper and lower limbs of the intervention group significantly improved in comparison to the control group on the seventh day with p<0.001. Incidence of ICU-AMW, the duration of MV and ICU length of stay were significantly lower in the intervention group versus in control group with p<0.001.Conclusion: The continuous application of digital electronic acupunctoscope neuromuscular stimulation sessions for patient in ICUs can effectively enhance muscle strength; prevent the occurrence of ICU-AMW. Therefore, the future studies should concentrate on the effect of digital electronic acupunctoscope neuromuscular stimulation on respiratory muscles.

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