The Effect of Semi-recumbent Position With Exercise Training on Long-term Ventilator-dependent Patients

Background: Prolonged mechanical ventilation patients rely on medical expenses per year had increased by nearly 20 billion in 15 years. However, the high cost shows the high morbidity rate, high mortality rate and low ventilator weaning rate of prolonged mechanical ventilation patients, so it is worthwhile to explore how to improve the respiratory function and even their quality of life of patients in the respiratory care ward (RCW).

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the improvement of respiratory function and the effect of respirator detachment in 45-degree semi-sitting and upper limb training, and to understand the correlation between this training activity and death risk.

METHODS: This study used repeated experimental measurements and purpose sampling, and the investigators invited patients in the respiratory care ward (RCW) in northern Taiwan. They were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group was given 45 degree Semi-sitting 2hrs and upper-limb exercise training 10mins once a day. After 4 weeks, the investigators measure the respiratory parameters such as the maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), the tidal volume (VT), the minute ventilation (MV), and the rapid shallow breathing index(RSBI) of these two groups, and used the generalized estimating equation (GEE) to compare with them.

Inclusion criteria

• respiratory care ward (RCW) cases using mechanical ventilators
• 20 years old ≦ age ≦ 89 years old
• Those who used antibiotics without infection and fever (body temperature >38.5℃) in the past 3 days
• the fraction of inspiration O2(FiO2)≦50% and the positive end expiratory pressure(PEEP)≦10
• 90 mm-Hg≦ systolic blood pressure(SBP) ≦160 mm-Hg
• 60 beats/min≦ heart rate(HR) ≦130 beats/min without arrhythmia
• 12 times/min≦ respiratory rate(RR) ≦35 times/min
• 90%≦ oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (SPO2) ≦100%
• Patients with spontaneous breathing
• Digestible without continuous feeder

Exclusion criteria

• respiratory care ward (RCW) cases without mechanical ventilators
• Age <20 years old or age>89 years old
• Those who have been infected with fever in the past 3 days (body temperature >38.5℃) and are taking antibiotic
• the fraction of inspiration O2(FiO2) >50% and the positive end expiratory pressure(PEEP)>10
• systolic blood pressure(SBP)< 90 mm-Hg or systolic blood pressure(SBP) >160 mm-Hg
• heart rate(HR)<60 beats/min or heart rate(HR)>130 beats/min and arrhythmia
• respiratory rate(RR)<12 times/minute or respiratory rate(RR)>35 times/minute
• oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (SPO2) <90%
• Patients without spontaneous breathing
• Poor digestion and use of continuous feeders