ABSTRACT
[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effect of prone positioning on the respiratory function of patients with the severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) which emerged in 2019. [Participants and Methods] We examined 24 COVID-19 patients who underwent mechanical ventilation at the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center from March 2020 to November 2021. The respiratory function of these patients before and after prone positioning was compared. The indices of respiratory function were the P/F ratio obtained from the blood data and peak pressure (Ppeak), positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), delta P (⊿P), and static compliance (Cstat) displayed on the graphic monitor of the ventilator. [Results] After prone positioning, significant increases in the P/F ratio and Cstat were observed. Although Ppeak, PEEP and ⊿P decreased, their differences were not significant. [Conclusion] The results of this study demonstrate that prone positioning was effective at contributing to improvement of the respiratory status of patients with severe COVID-19. © 2022, Society of Physical Therapy Science (Rigaku Ryoho Kagakugakkai). All rights reserved.