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Meta-Analysis
. 2023 Apr 24;18(4):e0284923.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284923. eCollection 2023.

Effects of different types and frequencies of early rehabilitation on ventilator weaning among patients in intensive care units: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Ruo-Yan Wu  1   2 , Huan-Jui Yeh  3   4 , Kai-Jie Chang  1 , Mei-Wun Tsai  2
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Effects of different types and frequencies of early rehabilitation on ventilator weaning among patients in intensive care units: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Ruo-Yan Wu et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of different types and frequencies of physiotherapy on ventilator weaning among patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) and to identify the optimal type and frequency of intervention.

Data sources: PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Airiti Library.

Study selection: Randomized controlled trials that provided information on the dosage of ICU rehabilitation and the parameters related to ventilator weaning were included.

Data extraction and management: Treatment types were classified into conventional physical therapy, exercise-based physical therapy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NEMS), progressive mobility, and multi-component. The frequencies were divided into high (≥ 2 sessions/day or NEMS of > 60 minutes/day), moderate (one session/day, 3-7 days/week or NEMS of 30-60 minutes/day), and low (one session/day, < 3 days/week, or NEMS of < 30 minutes/day).

Data synthesis: Twenty-four articles were included for systematic review and 15 out of 24 articles were analyzed in the meta-analysis. Early rehabilitation, especially the progressive mobility treatment exerted an optimal effect in reducing the ventilator duration in patients in the ICU (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.23-1.58; P < 0.01). Regarding the treatment frequency, the high-frequency intervention did not result in a favorable effect on ventilator duration compared with the moderate frequency of treatment (SMD = 0.75; 95% CI = -1.13-2.64; P = 0.43).

Conclusion: Early rehabilitation with progressive mobility is highly recommended to decrease the ventilation duration received by patients in the ICU. Depending on clinical resources and the tolerance of patients, the frequency of interventions should reach moderate-to-high frequency, that is, at least one session per day and 3 days a week.

Trial registration: Registration number: PROSPERO (CRD42021243331).

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. PRISMA flow diagram.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Risk of bias summary.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Risk of bias graph.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Forest plot: The effects of different types of physiotherapy on ventilator duration.
(A) Physical therapy compared to medical treatment; (B) low-dose physical therapy compared to high-dose physical therapy.
Fig 5
Fig 5. Forest plot: The effects of different frequencies of physiotherapy on ventilator duration.
(A) Physical therapy compared to medical treatment; (B) moderate-frequency physical therapy compared to high-frequency physical therapy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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