THERAPY-Magazin
Wake up, get up and get out
Early mobilisation reduces ICU stays, improves independence at discharge, and prevents long-term complications. Learn how evidence-based protocols and teamwork boost recovery.
Sabrina Grossenbacher-Eggmann
Therapy expert at the
Institute for Physiotherapy at the Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
Shorter length of stay in the ICU and hospital, more independent at discharge – early mobilisation in the ICU improves outcomes and is also safe, as the author demonstrates.
Muscle loss begins within the first 72 hours of bed rest.
It has been known for many years that (still often) prescribed bed rest has little benefit for many diseases. On the contrary, it can be harmful and prolong the patients’ recovery time [1]. Muscle loss begins within the first 72 hours of bed rest, reducing muscle power by 16% in ten days in healthy older adults [5]. In combination with a critical illness, such as sepsis, this muscle loss is even higher [6]. For example, after seven days of mechanical ventilation, 24 to 77% of patients already suffer from generalised muscle weakness, called ICUAW (Intensive Care Unit Acquired Weakness) [6, 12].
It has been known for many years that (still often) prescribed bed rest has little benefit for many diseases. On the contrary, it can be harmful and prolong the patients’ recovery time [1]. Muscle loss begins within the first 72 hours of bed rest, reducing muscle power by 16% in ten days in healthy older adults [5]. In combination with a critical illness, such as sepsis, this muscle loss is even higher [6]. For example, after seven days of mechanical ventilation, 24 to 77% of patients already suffer from generalised muscle weakness, called ICUAW (Intensive Care Unit Acquired Weakness) [6, 12].
“Intensive Care Unit Acquired Weakness” – a generalised, diffuse muscle weakness
ICUAW is a diagnosis of exclusion; except for the critical illness itself, no determinable cause can be found. It describes clinically diagnosed, new-onset, diffuse muscle weakness, with affected ICU patients by definition scoring less than 48 on the Medical Research Council sum score (see table) [12].
ICUAW is a diagnosis of exclusion; except for the critical illness itself, no determinable cause can be found. It describes clinically diagnosed, new-onset, diffuse muscle weakness, with affected ICU patients by definition scoring less than 48 on the Medical Research Council sum score (see table) [12].
On the one hand, the development of ICUAW is aided by the critical illness, with mechanisms such as hypoxia, hypotension, inflammation, glucose dysregulation, catabolism and malnutrition playing an important role. On the other hand, specific intensive care measures, such as mechanical ventilation, sedating drugs or long immobilisation, contribute to its development. This creates a vicious circle with serious consequences, which are summarised under the term “Post-Intensive Care Syndrome” (Figure 1) [8]. For example, one year after their ICU stay, more than half of all survivors suffer from poor functional status. One in four exhibits post-traumatic stress disorder. Quality of life is severely limited and mortality is high. There is therefore an urgent need for action to identify patients at risk of ICUAW in good time and to provide them with adapted therapy.
The ABCDE concept
To overcome the vicious circle between immobility, ventilation and sedation and to reduce post-intensive care syndrome, the evidence-based, interdisciplinary ABCDE concept is recommended (Awakening, Breathing, Coordination, Delirium monitoring, Exercise/Early Mobilisation). Protocols are used to check and adjust the need for ventilation and sedation on a daily basis. Daily screening is intended to prevent an acute state of confusion (delirium) and immobility is reduced by early mobilisation, daily activities and movement exercises [14].
In order to ensure patient safety at all times and to successfully combine the individual components of the ABCDE concept, implementation requires coordinated interdisciplinary cooperation between physiotherapists, intensive care specialists and doctors.
To overcome the vicious circle between immobility, ventilation and sedation and to reduce post-intensive care syndrome, the evidence-based, interdisciplinary ABCDE concept is recommended (Awakening, Breathing, Coordination, Delirium monitoring, Exercise/Early Mobilisation). Protocols are used to check and adjust the need for ventilation and sedation on a daily basis. Daily screening is intended to prevent an acute state of confusion (delirium) and immobility is reduced by early mobilisation, daily activities and movement exercises [14].
In order to ensure patient safety at all times and to successfully combine the individual components of the ABCDE concept, implementation requires coordinated interdisciplinary cooperation between physiotherapists, intensive care specialists and doctors.
Early mobilisations are safe
Potential barriers to early mobilisation include the fear of inadvertently removing a vital catheter or causing a deterioration in vital signs in an already unstable patient. However, there is increasingly positive evidence of the safety of early mobilisation. For example, a multicentre prospective observational study investigated the effects of physiotherapeutic interventions in several interdisciplinary intensive care units over a period of three months: It found adverse reactions in only 0.2% of all treatments [15]. Another study observed the safety of physiotherapy and early mobilisation over 30 months. There were adverse events in only 0.6% of all 5,267 treatments. Although the most frequent ones concerned the vital signs, these recovered quickly after therapy was interrupted and no further harm occurred [11].
Potential barriers to early mobilisation include the fear of inadvertently removing a vital catheter or causing a deterioration in vital signs in an already unstable patient. However, there is increasingly positive evidence of the safety of early mobilisation. For example, a multicentre prospective observational study investigated the effects of physiotherapeutic interventions in several interdisciplinary intensive care units over a period of three months: It found adverse reactions in only 0.2% of all treatments [15]. Another study observed the safety of physiotherapy and early mobilisation over 30 months. There were adverse events in only 0.6% of all 5,267 treatments. Although the most frequent ones concerned the vital signs, these recovered quickly after therapy was interrupted and no further harm occurred [11].
Safety criteria
It should be noted that in the studies mentioned, early mobilisation was always carried out by experienced physiotherapists and with interdisciplinary cooperation. Safe mobilisation in the intensive care unit requires at least two people. In addition, the following safety criteria should be checked before each mobilisation:
• Are there sufficient cardiovascular and respiratory reserves? The tolerance limit can be estimated individually based on previous reactions to an intervention. Example: a patient who is desaturated for a prolonged period by passive repositioning (SpO2 <85%) is not really suitable for mobilisation due to their limited respiratory reserve.
• Are there any lines/installations (e.g. an intra-aortic balloon pump) that contraindicate mobilisation? In any case, all lines/installations should be checked and secured before mobilisation.
• Are there any neurological, orthopaedic or other contraindications?
• What medication is the patient currently taking and how might it affect mobilisation?
• Is the state of consciousness stable and does the patient agree to mobilisation?
The mobilisation method and intensity is then determined. Early mobilisation then takes place under continuous monitoring of haemodynamic and respiratory parameters. This allows – if necessary – immediate intervention, for example by reducing the intensity, giving additional oxygen or increasing the pressure support of the ventilator [13].
It should be noted that in the studies mentioned, early mobilisation was always carried out by experienced physiotherapists and with interdisciplinary cooperation. Safe mobilisation in the intensive care unit requires at least two people. In addition, the following safety criteria should be checked before each mobilisation:
• Are there sufficient cardiovascular and respiratory reserves? The tolerance limit can be estimated individually based on previous reactions to an intervention. Example: a patient who is desaturated for a prolonged period by passive repositioning (SpO2 <85%) is not really suitable for mobilisation due to their limited respiratory reserve.
• Are there any lines/installations (e.g. an intra-aortic balloon pump) that contraindicate mobilisation? In any case, all lines/installations should be checked and secured before mobilisation.
• Are there any neurological, orthopaedic or other contraindications?
• What medication is the patient currently taking and how might it affect mobilisation?
• Is the state of consciousness stable and does the patient agree to mobilisation?
The mobilisation method and intensity is then determined. Early mobilisation then takes place under continuous monitoring of haemodynamic and respiratory parameters. This allows – if necessary – immediate intervention, for example by reducing the intensity, giving additional oxygen or increasing the pressure support of the ventilator [13].
Structure and possibilities of early mobilisation
So far, there is a lack of optimal targets for training the critically ill. Since improved cardiorespiratory fitness is not the primary goal, training in stable patients should be more in depth. Successive interventions that build on each other with sufficient breaks in between have proven successful.
The basis of early mobilisation in the intensive care unit is movement therapy. As a rule, non-contactable patients are mobilised daily with three to ten repetitions per joint and encouraged by means of self-touch. As soon as a patient becomes more awake, simple everyday activities are added, such as turning, brushing the hair or washing the face. The patient should take over their own activity as quickly as possible under therapeutic guidance. To further counteract devastating muscle loss in intensive care, adapted strength training should be started as early as possible. For this purpose, light weights or therapeutic resistance are used and training is done at a medium intensity (estimated 50 to 70% of the one-repetition maximum, 8 to 12 repetitions, 2 to 5 sets).
Provided that the safety criteria are met, the actual early mobilisation begins with sitting upright in bed. If the vital signs remain stable, it is possible to proceed to the next stage: sitting at the edge of the bed, sitting in an armchair, standing up to walking (Figure 2).
So far, there is a lack of optimal targets for training the critically ill. Since improved cardiorespiratory fitness is not the primary goal, training in stable patients should be more in depth. Successive interventions that build on each other with sufficient breaks in between have proven successful.
The basis of early mobilisation in the intensive care unit is movement therapy. As a rule, non-contactable patients are mobilised daily with three to ten repetitions per joint and encouraged by means of self-touch. As soon as a patient becomes more awake, simple everyday activities are added, such as turning, brushing the hair or washing the face. The patient should take over their own activity as quickly as possible under therapeutic guidance. To further counteract devastating muscle loss in intensive care, adapted strength training should be started as early as possible. For this purpose, light weights or therapeutic resistance are used and training is done at a medium intensity (estimated 50 to 70% of the one-repetition maximum, 8 to 12 repetitions, 2 to 5 sets).
Provided that the safety criteria are met, the actual early mobilisation begins with sitting upright in bed. If the vital signs remain stable, it is possible to proceed to the next stage: sitting at the edge of the bed, sitting in an armchair, standing up to walking (Figure 2).
Nowadays, various new aids enrich the early rehabilitation of critically ill patients. A motor-assisted bed bicycle ergometer enables moderate endurance training even for sedated or ICUAW patients. An electric standing table facilitates the mobilisation of a critically ill patient to a standing position and video games can promote motivation, as well as endurance and balance for critically ill patients [4].
Early mobilisation improves outcome
Not only is the described early mobilisation of critically ill patients in intensive care units safe, but it has also been proven to improve the outcome. An early mobilisation concept in a medical intensive care unit therefore leads to a significantly shorter stay in the intensive care unit and hospital [7]. Additional bed-bicycle training in the intensive care unit improved walking distance, measured with the 6-minute walking test, as well as subjective physical functioning in the 36-item short form survey (SF-36) upon discharge from hospital [2]. Compared to the otherwise customary therapy, the combination of daily sedation stops with early mobilisation, including physiotherapy and occupational therapy, significantly shortened the number of days of ventilation and delirium. As a result, patients were much more independent in their everyday activities when discharged from hospital and, instead of requiring rehabilitation, could in some cases even be discharged directly home [9].
Not only is the described early mobilisation of critically ill patients in intensive care units safe, but it has also been proven to improve the outcome. An early mobilisation concept in a medical intensive care unit therefore leads to a significantly shorter stay in the intensive care unit and hospital [7]. Additional bed-bicycle training in the intensive care unit improved walking distance, measured with the 6-minute walking test, as well as subjective physical functioning in the 36-item short form survey (SF-36) upon discharge from hospital [2]. Compared to the otherwise customary therapy, the combination of daily sedation stops with early mobilisation, including physiotherapy and occupational therapy, significantly shortened the number of days of ventilation and delirium. As a result, patients were much more independent in their everyday activities when discharged from hospital and, instead of requiring rehabilitation, could in some cases even be discharged directly home [9].
Leaving ICU as early as possible
The goal of intensive care measures is a return to an appropriate living environment [10]. In order to avoid complications, continuous rehabilitation should therefore already take place during the critical illness. Physiotherapists play an essential role in this often survival-focused setting, as they can evaluate and treat functional impairments while still in the ICU, in accordance with the available evidence and the motto: “Wake up, get up and get out of the ICU as soon as possible!” [3].
The goal of intensive care measures is a return to an appropriate living environment [10]. In order to avoid complications, continuous rehabilitation should therefore already take place during the critical illness. Physiotherapists play an essential role in this often survival-focused setting, as they can evaluate and treat functional impairments while still in the ICU, in accordance with the available evidence and the motto: “Wake up, get up and get out of the ICU as soon as possible!” [3].
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THERAPY Magazine
Sabrina Grossenbacher-Eggmann
Therapy expert at the
Institute for Physiotherapy at the Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
Sabrina Grossenbacher-Eggmann, PT MSc, works as a Therapy Expert at the Institute of Physiotherapy at Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, Switzerland. She is responsible for the interdisciplinary intensive care unit of Category I (covering the full spectrum of intensive care medicine, excluding severe burns) and is the initiator of a study on training in the intensive care unit.
References:
- Allen C, Glasziou P, Del Mar C (1999): Bed rest: a potentially harmful treatment needing more careful evaluation. Lancet 1999, 354(9186): 1229-1233
- Zeppos L, Patman S, Berney S, Adsett JA, Bridson JM, Paratz JD (2007): Physiotherapy in intensive care is safe: an observational study. The Australian journal of physiotherapy 2007, 53(4): 279-283.Zeppos L, Patman S, Berney S, Adsett JA, Bridson JM, Paratz JD (2007): Physiotherapy in intensive care is safe: an observational study. The Australian journal of physiotherapy 2007, 53(4): 279-283.Burtin C, Clerckx B, Robbeets C, Ferdinande P, Langer D, Troosters T, Hermans G, Decramer M, Gosselink R (2009): Early exercise in critically ill patients enhances short-term functional recovery. Critical care medicine 2009, 37(9): 2499-2505.
- Fan E (2010): What is stopping us from early mobility in the intensive care unit? Critical care medicine 2010, 38(11): 2254-2255.
- Kho ME, Damluji A, Zanni JM, Needham DM (2012): Feasibility and observed safety of interactive video games for physical rehabilitation in the intensive care unit: a case series. Journal of Critical Care 2012(27): 219.
- Kortebein P, Ferrando A, Lombeida J, Wolfe R, Evans WJ (2007): Effect of 10 days of bed rest on skeletal muscle in healthy older adults. JAMA: the journal of the American Medical Association 2007, 297(16): 1772-1774.
- Latronico N, Bolton CF (2011): Critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy: a major cause of muscle weakness and paralysis. Lancet neurology 2011, 10(10): 931-341.
- Morris PE, Goad A, Thompson C, Taylor K, Harry B, Passmore L, Ross A, Anderson L, Baker S, Sanchez M et al. (2008): Early intensive care unit mobility therapy in the treatment of acute respiratory failure. Critical care medicine 2008, 36(8): 2238-2243.
- Needham DM, Davidson J, Cohen H, Hopkins RP, Weinert C, Wunsch H, Zawistowski C, Bermis-Dougherty A, Berney SC, Bienvenu OJ et al. (2012): Improving long-term outcomes after discharge from intensive care unit: report from a stakeholders’ conference. Critical care medicine 2012, 40(2): 502-509.
- Schweickert WD, Pohlman MC, Pohlman AS, Nigos C, Pawlik AJ, Esbrook CL, Spears L, Miller M, Franczyk M, Deprizio D et al. (2009): Early physical and occupational therapy in mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2009, 373(9678): 1874-1882.
- Schweizerische Akademie der Medizinischen Wissenschaften (SAMW) (2013): Intensivmedizinische Massnahmen. In: Medizin-ethische Richtlinien und Empfehlungen, 2013: 1-53. https://www.samw.ch/de/Publikationen/Richtlinien.html
- Sricharoenchai T, Parker AM, Zanni JM, Nelliot A, Dinglas VD, Needham DM (2014): Safety of physical therapy interventions in critically ill patients: A single-center prospective evaluation of 1110 intensive care unit admissions. Journal of Critical Care 2014, 29(3): 395-400.
- Stevens RF, Marshall SA, Cornblath DR, Hoke A, Needham DM, de Jonghe B, Ali NA, Sharshar T (2009): A framework for diagnosing and classifying intensive care unit-acquired weakness. Critical care medicine 2009. 37(10 Suppl): S. 299-308.
- Stiller K, Phillips A (2003): Safety aspects of mobilising acutely ill patients. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 2003 (19): 239-257.
- Vasilevskis EE, Ely EW, Speroff T, Pun BT, Boehm L, Dittus RS (2010): Reducing iatrogenic risks: ICU-acquired delirium and weakness – crossing the quality chasm. Chest 2010, 138(5): 1224-1233.
- Zeppos L, Patman S, Berney S, Adsett JA, Bridson JM, Paratz JD (2007): Physiotherapy in intensive care is safe: an observational study. The Australian journal of physiotherapy 2007, 53(4): 279-283.
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