Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Internal Medicine

Background : Prolonged mechanical ventilation, defined as ventilation for 21 or more consecutive days with medical support. Low energy laser therapy has bio-stimulative and tissue regenerative properties as well as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. The purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the therapeutic effectiveness of non-surgical gallium arsenide laser (905 nm) as an anti-inflammatory agent and its reflection on mechanical ventilator parameters, as well as inflammatory markers, in prolonged mechanically ventilated patients. Subjects and Methods: Thirty prolonged mechanically ventilated patients were selected from the two floors of critical care unit of Cairo University hospitals (Kasr el Ainy Hospitals), through a period of ten months, with ages ranged from 50 to 60 years old. The patients were divided into two equal groups, study group (A) included 15 patients (9 males and 6 female) who received low energy gallium arsenide laser therapy once a day in addition to the routine ICU physical therapy program for ten days from day 21 to day 31, while control group (B) included 15 patients (10 males and 5 females) who received routine ICU physical therapy program only

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