Background: Few studies have evaluated the effects of structured early mobilization (EM) protocols on the level of mobilization in critical care patients.
Objective: To evaluate the impact of a structured EM protocol on the level of mobilization, muscle strength, and the level of activities of daily living (LADL) after intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital discharge.
Methods: This randomized clinical trial (U1111-1245-4840) included adults patients who were randomized into two groups: intervention (n = 40) and control (n = 45). The intervention group underwent conventional physiotherapy and structured EM protocols, and the control group underwent conventional physiotherapy. The level of mobilization from 0 (no mobilization) to 5 (walking), muscle strength (Medical Research Council scale), LADL (Katz Index), and incidence of complications were evaluated.
Results: The level of mobilization from day 1 to day 7 increased in the intervention group compared with the control group (p < .05). Muscle strength did not change during the protocol in the intervention and control groups {day 1 [effect size (r) = 0.15, p = .161], at ICU discharge [r = 0.16, p = .145], and after ICU discharge [r = 0.16, p = .191]}. The LADL did not differ between the intervention and control groups after ICU discharge [4 (1-6) vs. 3 (1-5), p = .702] or 30 days after hospital discharge [6 (5-6) vs. 6 (5-6), p = .945]. The structured EM protocol was safe, and no severe complications were observed during the protocol.
Conclusion: A structured EM protocol increased the level of mobilization without improving muscle strength and the LADL compared with conventional physiotherapy.
Keywords: Critical care; activities of daily living; early ambulation; muscle strength; safety management.