Application of the Concept of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation in Trunk Control in Patients Admitted to the ICU.

Summary

Muscle weakness acquired in the ICU (FAUTI) is related to the functional decline of patients admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). For better follow-up, scales such as (Chelsea Critical Care Physical Assessment) CPAx and (Medical Research Council) MRC help to identify early the muscle and functional impairment of these patients. Early mobilization aims to minimize these effects and therefore the search to reach the highest mobility milestone is constant bedside sitting (BSS) is an important milestone in recovery, associated with better functional results when there is good trunk control, as the coordinated activation of muscles in this region is essential for stabilization and reaching higher postures. The physiotherapeutic approach focused on the components of the activities and on the patient's participation is crucial, with the therapeutic option of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF). To evaluate the effect of exercises based on the PNF concept through the Test Control Trunk (TCT) on the trunk balance of patients admitted to the ICU. This is a randomized, crossover clinical trial, carried out at the Pedro Ernesto University Hospital from June 2026 to June 2027. Adults hospitalized for more than 48 hours who meet the inclusion criteria will be screened. and clinical evaluation. The study consists of two blocks of pre- and post-crossover evaluations, conducted by the same blind evaluator. Patients will undergo assessments on the first day of BSS, including assessment of the trunk with TCT and assessment of diaphragm mobility and thickness by ultrasound, before and after intervention (PNF or conventional exercises). Between assessments, there will be a 3-hour rest period.

Conditions

• Intensive Care Unit Acquired Weakness

Interventions

OTHER

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)

From its beginnings, PNF has successfully integrated many of the concepts of contemporary neurorehabilitation interventions. The Philosophy and Basic Principles of PNF, together with the specific spiral and diagonal patterns, make up the cornerstone of PNF. PNF also includes motor learning and functional retention of newly learned activities with the repetition of a specific demand; the use of the developmental progression of motor behavior that enables patients to create and re-create strategies of efficient functional movement; and the biomechanical and behavioral analysis of motor control. All activities within PNF intervention are directed towards a functional goal and are relative to the environment in which the goal is to be achieved.

OTHER

Standard physiotherapy

This group will undergo conventional physiotherapy according to institutional protocol.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hospital Universitario Pedro Ernesto

  collaborator OTHER

• Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-06-01

Primary Completion

2027-06-01

Completion

2028-12-31

Countries

• Brazil

Study Locations