Effect of Therapeutic Modalities on the Physical Fitness and Functional Capacity in Critical Patient

CONTEXT: The physical deconditioning in the critically ill patient is favored by prolonged immobilization, which compromises the ability to function. This perpetuates the stays in hospital and intensive care units (ICU). To combat this, there physiotherapy intervention methods that can reverse or reduce their occurrence. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research is to determine the effects of passive movements, assisted active and resisted, and changes of position on grip strength, joint mobility and functional capacity in patients in ICU. METHODS: A quasi-experimental intervention, before and after, no control group, in which 40 patients in an adult ICU in Medellin, receive physiotherapy care. Electrogoniometry, dynamometry and functional independence measure, will be made before the intervention and serial assessments every four days, until discharge from ICU.