Increasing family participation in physiotherapy-related tasks of critically ill patients: a pilot study on the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an intervention

ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an intervention for family participation in physiotherapy-related tasks of critically ill patients. DesignThis quasi-experimental pilot study with a non-equivalent control group was conducted within a mixed adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Included were first-degree relatives of critically ill patients who were admitted to the ICU for more than three days and received physiotherapy. Study parametersThe primary outcome was feasibility, based on a minimal 1) recruitment rate; 2) percentage of relatives who chose physiotherapy-related tasks; 3) usage of physiotherapy-related tasks; 4) usability; and 5) maximum number of adverse events. Secondary outcomes were patients physical functioning and symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder in family members, at ICU discharge. ResultsBetween March and June 2021, 34 family members (19 intervention, 15 control) of 27 critically ill patients (16 intervention, 11 control) were included. The recruitment rate was 75.6% (34 out of 45). The percentage of family members who chose physiotherapy-related tasks at baseline was 94.7% (18 out of 19). The average percentage of days that these family members performed physiotherapy-related tasks was 56.7%. The mean System Usability Scale score was 77.1. No adverse events occurred. At ICU discharge there was a significant difference in the mean Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - depression score (P=0.030) and mean Impact of Event Scale - Revised (P=0.047) score between the intervention and control group, in favor of the intervention group. ConclusionFamily participation in physiotherapy-related tasks of critically ill patients seems feasible.