Physical therapy is part of the treatment for patients admitted to ICU. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) is one of the physiotherapy concepts including manual techniques and verbal stimulation. The purpose of this paper is to examine the feasibility of PNF techniques in mechanically ventilated (MV) ICU patients. Another aim is to verify whether the technique using resistance during the patient’s inhalation will have a different effect than the technique used to teaching the correct breathing patterns. Methods: Patients admitted to tertiary ICU were enrolled in this study, randomly divided into two groups, and received four 90-second manual breathing stimulations each. The following vital signs were assessed: HR, SBP, DBP, and SpO₂. Results: 61 MV ICU adult patients (mean age 67.8; 25 female and 36 male) were enrolled in this study. No significant differences in HR, SBP, and DBP were observed both for two techniques measured separately and between them. Statistically significant differences were noticed analysing SpO₂ in the rhythmic initiation technique (RIT) group (p-value = 0.013). Conclusions: Short-term PNF interventions did not influence clinically relevant vital parameters among MV patients and seem to be feasible in this group of ICU patients.

Physiotherapy is an essential component of respiratory management and mobilisation/rehabilitation for patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). However, the current practices across Europe related to organisational models, referral pathways, or clinical techniques are not well-defined. To examine physiotherapy provision and practice of respiratory management and mobilisation/rehabilitation for mechanically ventilated patients in European ICUs. An online survey was developed, piloted and distributed in 11 languages via national coordinators, professional societies, and social media. The ICU physiotherapy leads, or in their absence, medical/nursing leaders from each ICU (one reply per ICU), completed the survey, which included information regarding ICU structure, physiotherapy provision, and current practice. Data were analysed descriptively. In total, 845 responses from 33 countries were included, with the largest representation from Spain (12%), the United Kingdom (11%), and France (11%). Most respondents were physiotherapists (88%) working in university hospitals (69%) and caring primarily for adult ICU patients (87%). Less than half (41%) of physiotherapists were dedicated to ICU, but 91% of them had received some ICU-specific training. Physiotherapy is initiated upon a referral in 52% of ICUs. It usually includes routine respiratory assessment (80%) and both respiratory management and mobilisation/rehabilitation for mechanically ventilated patients (85%). The most common techniques included endotracheal suctioning (55%) and manually assisted cough (51%), with less frequent use of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (20%) and saline instillation (18%). Mobilisation/rehabilitation was widely practised, with 76% of respondents reporting patients sitting at the edge of the bed, 69% standing, and 71% walking during their ICU stay. Physiotherapy is a well-integrated part in European ICUs with physiotherapists providing both respiratory management and mobilisation/rehabilitation techniques, although heterogeneity persists in organisation, referral pathways and the use of specific techniques. These results inform the development of future training and workforce planning, ultimately improving interprofessional ICU care across Europe, particularly in underrepresented areas.

Introduction: Physiotherapy in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a common medical procedure involving mainly elements of mobilisation, electrotherapy and also, in various forms and to a lesser extent, elements of massage. Massage can positively influence the physical and psychological outcomes of the ICU) patients.Aim: The study aimed to assess the perception of physiotherapists (PTs), physicians (PHs), and registered nurses (RNs) working in ICU about the possibilities and safety of implementing massage in the process of rehabilitation of ICU patients.Methods: This multicentre survey was conducted in Poland in three ICUs (Gdansk, Koscierzyna, Krakow). A total of 135 people participated in the study. Of these, 25.9% (35/135) were PTs, 21.5% (29/135) were PHs, and 52.6% (71/135) were RNs. The questionnaires were distributed and collected online (directly by respondents to Google Form system) and in written form.Results: Most PTs—71% (25/35)—perceive massage as a beneficial and safe treatment while working with ICU patients. PHs 96% (28/29) and RNs 92% (65/71) also recommend using massage by physiotherapists to rehabilitate ICU patients. In the respondents' opinion, the possibilities for the use of massage by PHs and RNs are lower (between 20% and 55%).Conclusions: According to the surveyed clinicians working in the ICU, massage is a safe form of treatment, especially when performed by PTs and it could be a permanent element of rehabilitation among ICU patients, especially for reducing pain, anxiety and restlessness and also improving sleep quality and bowel movement.

Introduction and objective: Hiking is becoming an increasingly popular leisure activity, practised due to its benefits, often regardless of people’s exercise capacity and Body Mass Index (BMI) values. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the level of daily physical...

Introduction: The goal of the article is to present the state of tests and discussion concerning the use of Jacobson’s progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) in psychiatric patients. It is assumed that adding PMR into the process of treating this group of patients is a reasonable therapeutic procedure. Material and methods: An analysis of literature indexed in databases of Scopus and Medline in the years 2001–2021 was performed. Included were articles presenting results of clinical tests and casuistic works. The subject terms and original key words were used as the search criteria. Results: Based on previously carried out literature examination, the conclusion was reached that the use of PMR is a reasonable therapeutic procedure aiding the treatment process and relapse prevention in psychiatric patients. Conclusions: PMR: decreases the levels of anxiety, stress, improves the quality of sleep and reduces symptoms of depression; it can be implemented as a complementary treatment to reduce the fear levels in hospitalized psychiatric patient; furthermore it has significant use in secondary prevention during the treatment process of patients with schizophrenia.

Introduction: The early physical therapy of intensive care unit patients is an obligatory medical procedure to prevent the physical impairments connected with prolonged immobilization. Physical therapy interventions shorten the ICU length of stay and support the multidisciplinary process of treatment. The aim of this article is to provide basic contraindications and indications needed during the physical therapy process of ICU patients. Moreover, to clarify described clinical examples, photo material is presented. Materials and methods: Firstly, indications and contraindications of an early physical therapy in intensive care unit were presented. Secondly, elements of the physical therapy process of ICU patients were shown. The manuscript contains practical aspects of passive, assisted, isometric and respiratory exercises dedicated to ICU patients. Results and Conclusion: It is appropriate to know the indications and contraindications for the physical therapy process of ICU patients and monitor the patients’ condition throughout the rehabilitation process. It is recommended to use elements of passive, assisted, isometric and breathing exercises in order to improve their health and prevent the effects of immobilization in this group of patients.