Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of frequency of physiotherapy on activities of daily living (ADL) in mechanically ventilated patients, which was measured with Barthel index (BI) scores at hospital discharge. Methods: This was a retrospective multi-center observational study. Data were collected on two groups from January 2017 to March 2018. One group received physiotherapy 7 days a week (every-day group) and the other received physiotherapy only on weekdays (weekday group). Each participating facility used a common mobilization protocol. Results: There were 100 and 106 patients in the every-day group and weekday group, respectively. Although no statistically significant differences were observed in BI scores at hospital discharge（75 vs. 60, P=0.310）between the two groups, time of first physiotherapy session (2days vs. 3days, P<0.0001) and length of intensive care unit stay (8days vs. 10days, P=0.004) were shorter in the every-day group. Furthermore, the every-day group had a higher achievement rate for sitting on the edge of bed, and a lower incidence rate of delirium (41.0% vs. 28.3%, P<0.0001 and 24.0% vs. 45.3%, P=0.001, respectively). Results from a linear regression analysis revealed that the factor affecting BI scores was age, and the factors affecting delirium were involvement in the every-day group, age, and presence of a sedation protocol. Conclusions: There was no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding BI scores at hospital discharge. Compared to the weekday group, the every-day group started physiotherapy earlier, had shorter length of stays in the ICU, had higher achievement rates for sitting on the edge of bed, and had lower delirium incidence rates.
