A randomized trial on the effects of body positions on lung function with acute respiratory failure patients.

In a randomized controlled trial, we compared the potential benefits of position changes on arterial oxygen pressure in 32 patients with acute respiratory failure, maintained on artificial ventilators, distinguishing prominently as left-sided, right-sided or bilateral lung disease. Our results indicate that randomly alternating supine, left-lateral, right-lateral and prone positions have influence on gas exchange and that improvement of arterial oxygen pressure is associated with various positions. Our results show, therefore, that nursing care of patients on artificial ventilators involving changes in body positions (a simple and noninvasive means of assistance) has important therapeutic consequences and warrants attention in clinical practice.