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

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Conditions studied: Intensive Care Unit Acquired Weakness

In brief

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.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07584564

Run by

Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

People needed

58

Starts

2026-06-01

Expected to finish

2028-12-31

Last updated by the study team

2026-05-22

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Over 18 years of age
• ICU stay greater than or equal 48 hours;
• RASS scale score greater than or equal to -2 and less than or equal to 1;
• TCT score less than or equal to 12 points on the "balance in sitting position" score less than or equal to 2 on item 3 "sitting without support".

You may not qualify if…

• Patients in a coma, with spinal cord instability, metastases, and bone lesions;
• Neuromuscular or neurological diseases
• Discharge from the general ICU before SBL
• Proportional care phase 3;
• Readmissions to the general ICU;

Where it is running

• Pedro Ernesto University Hospital — Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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