More-Frequent Rehab Doesn't Benefit ICU Patients

Daily rehabilitation therapy did not result in shorter length of stay in the intensive care unit or improve functional status.

Many patients experience long-lasting physical and psychological effects after intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. Early physical therapy and mobility as potential mediators of these effects have been studied intensely, but have not demonstrated a clear benefit (Crit Care Med 2008; 36:2238). Investigators at Wake Forest randomized 300 patients who were receiving mechanical ventilation to standardized rehabilitation therapy (SRT) or usual care. SRT included passive range of motion, physical therapy, and progressive resistance exercises and was performed every day.

The median times to begin therapy were 1 day in the SRT group and 7 days in the control group. In all metrics, SRT patients received more therapy. Neither hospital length of stay …

Reviewing Author

Patricia Kritek, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsATS Scholar

Patricia Kritek, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsATS Scholar

More-Frequent Rehab Doesn't Benefit ICU Patients

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Reviewing Author