Ab. No. 63 Immediate Effect of Intercostal Stretch Versus Anterior Stretch Basal Lift on Lung Compliance, Tidal Volume, Respiratory Rate, Heart Rate and SPO2 in Mechanically Ventilated Patients: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Introduction: Mechanical ventilation is a useful modality for patients who are unable to sustain the level of ventilation necessary to maintain gas exchange function. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) of respiration is the use of selective external proprioceptive and tactile stimuli that alter depth and rate of breathing to assist respiration. Several PNF techniques are reported to increase the depth of breathing, decrease respiratory rate and increase arousal in patient with a decreased level of consciousness. Intercostal stretch and basal lift are commonly used techniques, having beneficial effects among ventilatory patients. The purpose is to compare the effect of the Intercostal stretch versus Anterior Stretch Basal Lift on Tidal Volume, Lung Compliance, SpO2, Heart Rate and Respiratory Rate Methods: After screening for inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 30 subjects were randomized into 2 groups of n=15 each: 1) Intercostal Stretch 2) Basal Lift. After randomization, along with chest physiotherapy, both groups received respective PNF techniques (3 sets of 10 repetition). Pre and post outcomes were analyzed. Result: Significant changes (p<0.05) seen in all the outcomes in Intercostal group. In Basal lift group, Tidal volume, compliance and SpO2 has shown significant improvement (p<0.05). Inter group analysis didn’t show significant improvement (p>0.05). Conclusion: Both these PNF techniques aids chest physiotherapy in enhancing the results for patients on mechanical ventilation. But Intercostal Stretch showed more significant results than Basal Lift, and is more feasible to perform in day to day practice. Implications: It is safe to apply these techniques in mechanically ventilated patients for better outcomes.