RESUMEN
Objective To explore weaning dependent patients off mechanical ventilation through rehabilitative treatment. Methods Eighty-four patients dependent on mechanical ventilation were randomly divided into a rehabilitation group (n =44) and a control group (n =40). All were treated with routine medication, but in addition patients in the rehabilitation program followed a rehabilitation program. Three weeks later, the success rates and the time of weaning off mechanical ventilation were observed in the two groups. Results In the rehabilitation group,88.6% of the patients were successfully weaned off mechanical ventilation, versus 60% of the control group. The respective average weaning times were 6.8 ± 3.8 days and 14.3 ± 5.2 days. Both differences were statistically significant. Conclusions Rehabilitative treatment improves the weaning success rate and reduces the time needed for weaning mechanical ventilation-dependent patients.