Upper Extremity Theraband Exercises in Intensive Care Patients

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a special unit that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients who are in critical or severe condition and can not maintain their body balance. In this unit, appropriate examinations and treatments are applied to patients by experts using continuous monitoring and advanced technology 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Immobilization is often a part of treatment in intensive care units. Long-term immobilization can lead to respiratory system problems such as mucociliary dysfunction, compromise of airway integrity, decreased lung capacity and decreased cough efficiency. Theraband exercises have been used in many settings as part of the therapeutic treatment of patients with poor motor abilities. However, there is not enough evidence in the literature as there is no study on the effectiveness of theraband exercises in the intensive care unit. Therefore, the aim of our study is; To examine the effects of upper extremity theraband exercises on respiratory functions, muscle strength, functional mobility and quality of life in intensive care patients.