Current Rehabilitation Practices of Physiotherapists in Intensive Care Units in the UAE: A National Survey [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 not approved]

Abstract* Background Intensive care units (ICUs) are essential for patient recovery, but prolonged stays often result in complications like reduced mobility and muscle weakness. Aims This study examines current ICU rehabilitation practices in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through a web-based cross-...

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Main Authors: Kalyana Chakravarthy Bairapareddy, Amira Hassan Bekhet, Emad A. Aboelnasr, Gopala Krishna Alaparthi, Monia Ashraf Megahed, Fatma A. Hegazy, Alham Al-Sharman, Heba Hijazi
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Language:English
Published: F1000 Research Ltd 2025-01-01
Series:F1000Research
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Online Access:https://f1000research.com/articles/14-117/v1
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author Kalyana Chakravarthy Bairapareddy
Amira Hassan Bekhet
Emad A. Aboelnasr
Gopala Krishna Alaparthi
Monia Ashraf Megahed
Fatma A. Hegazy
Alham Al-Sharman
Heba Hijazi
author_facet Kalyana Chakravarthy Bairapareddy
Amira Hassan Bekhet
Emad A. Aboelnasr
Gopala Krishna Alaparthi
Monia Ashraf Megahed
Fatma A. Hegazy
Alham Al-Sharman
Heba Hijazi
author_sort Kalyana Chakravarthy Bairapareddy
collection DOAJ
description Abstract* Background Intensive care units (ICUs) are essential for patient recovery, but prolonged stays often result in complications like reduced mobility and muscle weakness. Aims This study examines current ICU rehabilitation practices in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through a web-based cross-sectional survey involving 80 physiotherapists from both public and private sectors. Methods The questionnaire, validated by experts with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.84, explored various rehabilitation strategies. Most participants held bachelor’s degrees and had 2-5 years of experience. Results Over 96% required physician referrals for ICU physiotherapy sessions, and 75% noted that hospitals provided development programs to enhance skills. Respiratory therapy, joint mobilization, and electrical stimulation were the most commonly used interventions, while massage, continuous passive motion machines, and taping were less frequently applied. Among neonatal ICU patients, 85.7% of physiotherapists regularly performed passive range of motion exercises, and 69% consistently involved parents in the treatment plan. The results indicate a variety of practices among ICU physiotherapists in the UAE, with no clear adherence to standardized protocols. This lack of consistency may negatively affect patient care quality. Conclusion The study underscores the importance of implementing standardized rehabilitation protocols and enhancing patient education to improve outcomes in ICU settings.
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spelling doaj-art-7f4c60778d7b4dd5aec076bc37f0d45a2025-08-20T02:26:45ZengF1000 Research LtdF1000Research2046-14022025-01-011410.12688/f1000research.159853.1175639Current Rehabilitation Practices of Physiotherapists in Intensive Care Units in the UAE: A National Survey [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 not approved]Kalyana Chakravarthy Bairapareddy0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5159-5951Amira Hassan Bekhet1Emad A. Aboelnasr2Gopala Krishna Alaparthi3Monia Ashraf Megahed4Fatma A. Hegazy5https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5355-8639Alham Al-Sharman6Heba Hijazi7Department of Physiotherapy, University of Sharjah College of Health Sciences, Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesCairo University Faculty of Physical Therapy, Ad Doqi, Giza Governorate, EgyptCairo University Faculty of Physical Therapy, Ad Doqi, Giza Governorate, EgyptDepartment of Health Professions, Faculty of Health and Education, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, England, UKDepartment of Physiotherapy, University of Sharjah College of Health Sciences, Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Physiotherapy, University of Sharjah College of Health Sciences, Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Physiotherapy, University of Sharjah College of Health Sciences, Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Health Care Management, University of Sharjah College of Health Sciences, Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesAbstract* Background Intensive care units (ICUs) are essential for patient recovery, but prolonged stays often result in complications like reduced mobility and muscle weakness. Aims This study examines current ICU rehabilitation practices in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through a web-based cross-sectional survey involving 80 physiotherapists from both public and private sectors. Methods The questionnaire, validated by experts with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.84, explored various rehabilitation strategies. Most participants held bachelor’s degrees and had 2-5 years of experience. Results Over 96% required physician referrals for ICU physiotherapy sessions, and 75% noted that hospitals provided development programs to enhance skills. Respiratory therapy, joint mobilization, and electrical stimulation were the most commonly used interventions, while massage, continuous passive motion machines, and taping were less frequently applied. Among neonatal ICU patients, 85.7% of physiotherapists regularly performed passive range of motion exercises, and 69% consistently involved parents in the treatment plan. The results indicate a variety of practices among ICU physiotherapists in the UAE, with no clear adherence to standardized protocols. This lack of consistency may negatively affect patient care quality. Conclusion The study underscores the importance of implementing standardized rehabilitation protocols and enhancing patient education to improve outcomes in ICU settings.https://f1000research.com/articles/14-117/v1ICU Rehabilitation Physiotherapy Practices National Surveyeng
spellingShingle Kalyana Chakravarthy Bairapareddy
Amira Hassan Bekhet
Emad A. Aboelnasr
Gopala Krishna Alaparthi
Monia Ashraf Megahed
Fatma A. Hegazy
Alham Al-Sharman
Heba Hijazi
Current Rehabilitation Practices of Physiotherapists in Intensive Care Units in the UAE: A National Survey [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 not approved]
F1000Research
ICU Rehabilitation
Physiotherapy Practices
National Survey
eng
title Current Rehabilitation Practices of Physiotherapists in Intensive Care Units in the UAE: A National Survey [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 not approved]
title_full Current Rehabilitation Practices of Physiotherapists in Intensive Care Units in the UAE: A National Survey [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 not approved]
title_fullStr Current Rehabilitation Practices of Physiotherapists in Intensive Care Units in the UAE: A National Survey [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 not approved]
title_full_unstemmed Current Rehabilitation Practices of Physiotherapists in Intensive Care Units in the UAE: A National Survey [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 not approved]
title_short Current Rehabilitation Practices of Physiotherapists in Intensive Care Units in the UAE: A National Survey [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 not approved]
title_sort current rehabilitation practices of physiotherapists in intensive care units in the uae a national survey version 1 peer review 2 approved 1 not approved
topic ICU Rehabilitation
Physiotherapy Practices
National Survey
eng
url https://f1000research.com/articles/14-117/v1
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