Quantification of changes in functional capacity and muscle strength in patients: a burn intensive care unit cohort study

• Published in: Burns 2022-06, Vol.48 (4), p.833-840
• Main Authors: da Silva, Mayara Manzoni Marques, Travensolo, Cristiane de Fatima, Probst, Vanessa Suziane, Felcar, Josiane Marques
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Burns; Cohort Studies; Female; Hand Strength; Hospital; Humans; Intensive Care Units; Length of Stay; Male; Middle Aged; Mobility limitation; Muscle Strength; Muscle weakness; Physical therapy department; Prospective Studies
• ISSN: 0305-4179; 1879-1409
• DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2022.01.010

•Functional outcome measures aid prediction of burn patient length of stay.•Global strength assessment is more sensitive to detect changes over time than handgrip alone.•Functional measure utility increased if customised for ICU or ward. Regular functional status and muscle strength assessments should be performed with burn victims. To evaluate the functionality and peripheral muscle strength of burn patients admitted to the hospital. A longitudinal and prospective study was conducted from March to November 2019, including adult burn victims who were admitted to the ICU and discharged from the hospital. Patients were assessed on admission, every 10 days, at discharge from the ICU and from the hospital. Functionality was assessed using the Chelsea Critical Care Physical Assessment (CPAx) and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Muscle strength was assessed using the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale and handgrip dynamometry. 41 patients were included, 27 men and 14 women, with a median age of 41 (IQR [28–56]) years, mean TBSA of 19 (SD ± 12) percent, mean Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI) of 6 (SD ± 2) and the mean ICU time was 29 (SD ± 9) days. The CPAx, FIM and MRC evaluations improved (P