Effect of Chest Physiotherapy and Postural Drainage Manoeuvre for Pneumonia Patients in Intensive Care Unit: A Case Report

Pneumonia is defined as the inflammation of the parenchyma of the lungs. It is mostly caused by microbes (viruses/bacteria) infection. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of chest physiotherapy and postural drainage on patients with pneumonia admitted to high-dependency unit. A case study of a 33-year-old female patient with bacterial pneumonia, physiotherapy was carried out 2 times a day for 7 days. Physiotherapists used a variety of techniques, including percussion, vibration, postural drainage, spirometry exercises, early mobility, and active breathing exercises which could help to reduce the symptoms of pneumonia in this condition. Outcome measurements were evaluated using mMRC Dyspnoea Scale, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Mobility Scale, Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). It was concluded that the early physiotherapy rehabilitation with postural drainage could help to resolve pneumonia and relieve dyspnoea.