Physical Therapist Treatment of Patients in the Neurological Intensive Care Unit: Description of Practice.

Background: Although studies have established the safety and feasibility of physical therapy in the critical care setting, minimal information about physical therapist practice in the neurological intensive care unit (NICU) is available.

Objective: This study describes physical therapists' treatment of people admitted to a NICU.

Design: People admitted to the NICU with a diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural hematoma, intracranial hemorrhage, or trauma were retrospectively studied.

Clinical outcomes from a foam wedge splinting program for axillary contracture prevention in the intensive care unit.

Preventing scar contracture after burn injury is a critical goal during recovery. Although the need for intervention is well-understood, data on specific techniques are limited. The study's objective is to provide data for the use of a foam abduction wedge in terms of safety, effectiveness, and patient and caregiver satisfaction through a prospective, single-arm trial.