The Motor Function and Activities of Daily Living Capacity of Seismic Wounded Patients in Intensive Care Unit Ward in 5.12 Wenchuan Earthquake of China

Abstract

ObjectiveTo describe the motor function and activities of daily living (ADL) functional status of the seismic wounded patients treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) ward, and to provide insight to the planning on their clinical rehabilitation program.MethodA prospective study. Trained assessor applied different common testing methods to measure the motor functions of seismic wounded patients treated in ICU: (1) Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) method to evaluate muscle strength; (2) joint angle ruler to assess joint range of motion (ROM); (3) passive joint activities to assess the muscle tension; (4) Modified Ashworth Score (MAS) to assess spasm; (5) balanced response to assess sitting balance and standing balance; (6) international generic Barthel Index Scale to evaluate ADL. Complications as related to rehabilitation were also recorded. Descriptive statistics were employed to describe the epidemiology, pattern of motor function loss and type of injuries.ResultsThe most common types of injuries in our sample of seismic wounded treated in ICU were: fracture (70%), nervous system injuries (20%), squeezing syndrome (5%) and pulmonary contusion (5%). The fracture proportion was higher in female than male (about 2:1). Amputation and paralysis occurred more in male than female (about 7:1 and 3:1 respectively). Lung infection as a complication in ICU stay was more common in female than male (4:1). We reported that most of the seismic wounded patient had early loss of motor function during the stay in ICU. Conclusion: Limited ROM, declined muscle strength, abnormal muscle tension, balance dysfunction, alteration of ADL capacity and lung infection are the main dysfunctions occurring among the seismic wounded in ICU ward. Loss of motor function can occur early and therefore active physiotherapy should start even during the stay in ICU.