Early Mobilization of Critically Ill Patients?

Intensive care unit (ICU) patients commonly experience physical, cognitive, and emotional effects for months after discharge. Many ICUs have attempted to mitigate the effect on physical function by implementing early-mobilization protocols. A recent trial, however, showed no benefit for this practice and raised concerns about harm (NEJM JW Gen Med Dec 15 2022 and N Engl J Med 2022; 387:1747, 1843, and 2425).

Investigators performed a meta-analysis of 15 trials (2700 patients) focused on early mobilization; 8 had low risk for bias. No significant difference was noted between early mobilization and usual care in days alive and out of the hospital at day 180 in the 6 studies that included this outcome. When all the trials were examined, early m…