Kinetic therapy positively influences oxygenation in patients with ALI/ARDS

Summary

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a fulminant form of respiratory failure, with diverse aetiology, despite technological advances in intensive care medicine; mortality rates remain 50–70%

• Costs associated with the management of patients in intensive therapy unit (ITU) are very high; therefore, the requirement for those working in critical care to provide evidence-based practice is mandatory

• One area of investigation is that kinetic therapy improves pulmonary complications in critically ill patients by positively influencing oxygenation and gaseous exchange

• Whilst kinetic therapy does appear to be an effective therapy in ITU, there are inconsistencies in reported findings, and thus, clearly a need for further research into this innovative therapy to maximize its potential