Early Progressive Mobility in the ICU

Traditionally, critically ill patients were sedated and confined to bed while their internal/surgical issues were treated. However, this approach resulted in complications such as ICU-acquired muscle weakness, which adversely affected their long-term survival rate, physical function, and quality of life. Since the 2000s, rehabilitation and mobilization interventions have been implemented in the ICU, with evidence of their safety and efficacy. The 2013 PAD guidelines endorsed “rehabilitation/mobilization as part of a delirium treatment strategy.” The 2018 PADIS guidelines further highlighted the importance of rehabilitation/mobilization by making it a separate topic and recommending active rehabilitation treatment.