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

• Published in: F1000Research
• 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
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: F1000 Research Ltd 2025-05-01
• Subjects: ICU Rehabilitation; Physiotherapy Practices; National Survey; eng
• Online Access: https://f1000research.com/articles/14-117/v2

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 A cross-sectional survey study was conducted among licensed ICU physiotherapists in UAE hospitals between September 2022 and December 2023. A validated, reliable questionnaire (Cronbach’s α = 0.843) was distributed electronically. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were performed using SPSS v27. Results Over 96% of respondents required physician referrals for ICU sessions, while 75% reported access to hospital-provided development programs. A wide range of physiotherapy interventions was reported. Respiratory therapy, joint mobilization, and electrical stimulation used frequently, while massage and taping applied inconsistently. Practices varied notably across adult and neonatal ICUs, particularly in passive range of motion exercises (85.7%) and parental involvement (69%) in neonatal care. The findings also revealed significant variability in clinical approaches and limited adherence to standardized protocols. Conclusion The study underscores the importance of implementing standardized rehabilitation protocols and enhancing patient education to improve outcomes in ICU settings.