Abstract
Abstract Introduction: Although manual hyperinflation (MHI) is a physical therapy technique commonly used in intensive care and emergency units, there is little consensus about its use. Objective: To investigate the knowledge of physical therapists working in intensive care and emergency units about manual hyperinflation. Methods: Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires on manual hyperinflation. Data collection took place between September 2014 and January 2015, in Itabuna and Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil. Results: The study sample was composed of 32 physical therapists who had between 4 months and 10 years working experience. All respondents affirmed that they used the technique in their professional practice. However, only 34.4% reported it to be a routine practice. 90.6% stated that the most common patient position during manual hyperinflation is “supine”. Participants were almost unanimous (93.8%) in citing secretion removal and cough stimulation as perceived benefits of MHI. High peak airway pressure was identified as being a precaution to treatment with MHI by 84.4% of participants, whilst 100% of the sample agreed that an undrained pneumothorax was a contraindication to MHI. Conclusion: The most common answers to the questionnaire were: supine position during MHI; secretion removal and cough stimulation as perceived benefits; high peak airway pressure as a precaution; and an undrained pneumothorax as a contraindication.
Highlights
Introduction: manual hyperinflation (MHI) is a physical therapy technique commonly used in intensive care and emergency units, there is little consensus about its use
This study aimed to investigate the knowledge of physical therapists working in intensive care and emergency units in Itabuna and Ilhéus about manual hyperinflation, its indications, contraindications, application techniques and physiological effects
The study included three Intensive Care Units (ICU) located in Itabuna, and three ICUS and one emergency unit located in the city of Ilhéus
Summary
Manual hyperinflation (MHI) is a physical therapy technique commonly used in intensive care and emergency units, there is little consensus about its use. Objective: To investigate the knowledge of physical therapists working in intensive care and emergency units about manual hyperinflation. Methods: Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires on manual hyperinflation. The work of physical therapists in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) has been associated with the improvement of respiratory function in critically ill patients; for different reasons, they may have an impaired mechanism of mucociliary clearance (MC). Structural airway defects, altered mucus composition and mucociliary clearance, lifestyle habits such as smoking or abnormal cough mechanics all contribute to reducing MC activity [1, 2]. The appropriate means to induce coughing and promote turbulent flow with the goal of clearing the airways will be impaired [5]
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