The role of the physiotherapist in adult intensive care units (ICU) for respiratory patients

Abstract

Intensive care units are fundamental components of modern medicine, focused on providing healthcare to complex and critically ill patients, especially those with severe respiratory conditions, aiming at the rehabilitation and recovery of hospitalized individuals through a multidisciplinary team, which includes physiotherapists. This study conducts a qualitative bibliographic research, developed through a literature review, searching and selecting studies published between 2021 and 2025 in the databases of the BVS Regional Portal, LILACS, Google Scholar, and SciELO. Based on the reading and analysis of the works found, it was highlighted that the physiotherapist working in the ICU plays a fundamental role in promoting care for respiratory patients hospitalized in the sector, acting directly in the promotion of health, respiratory rehabilitation, and recovery of critically ill patients hospitalized with severe respiratory conditions through respiratory physiotherapy techniques such as mechanical ventilation, bronchial hygiene, early mobilization, and therapeutic exercises aimed at improving lung and respiratory expansion, contraction, and capacity, reducing complications and the length of hospital stay necessary for treatment, favoring better clinical outcomes and improving the health and quality of life of these individuals. Finally, the need for expansion of studies in the area was observed, especially research with greater methodological rigor and clinical approach, aiming to strengthen scientific production and support increasingly effective practices in the care of critically ill patients in the ICU environment.