| REVIEW ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2011 | Volume
: 15
| Issue : 2 | Page : 78--81 |
Critical illness myopathy and polyneuropathy - A challenge for physiotherapists in the intensive care units
Renu B Pattanshetty1, Gajanan S Gaude2
1 KLE University's Institute of Physiotherapy, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Campus, Belgaum, Karnataka, India
2 Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Campus, Belgaum, Karnataka, India
Correspondence Address:
Renu B Pattanshetty
KLE University's Institute of Physiotherapy, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Campus, Belgaum - 590 010, Karnataka
India
DOI: 10.4103/0972-5229.83009 PMID: 21814370
The development of critical patient related generalized neuromuscular weakness, referred to as critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) and critical illness myopathy (CIM), is a major complication in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU). Both CIP and CIM cause muscle weakness and paresis in critically ill patients during their ICU stay. Early mobilization or kinesiotherapy have shown muscle weakness reversion in critically ill patients providing faster return to function, reducing weaning time, and length of hospitalization. Exercises in the form of passive, active, and resisted forms have proved to improve strength and psychological well being. Clinical trials using neuromuscular electrical stimulation to increase muscle mass, muscle strength and improve blood circulation to the surrounding tissue have proved beneficial. The role of electrical stimulation is unproven as yet. Recent evidence indicates no difference between treated and untreated muscles. Future research is recommended to conduct clinical trials using neuromuscular electrical stimulation, exercises, and early mobilization as a treatment protocol in larger populations of patients in ICU.
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