Study of Technology-Assisted and Systematic Early Mobilization to Prevent Weakness in Intensive Care Unit Patients

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effect of a technology-assisted early mobilization program among patients in intensive care units who are critically ill and using ventilators. This randomized controlled trial includes 138 patients assigned to one of three groups a technology-assisted early mobilization group, a systematic early mobilization group, or a usual care group. The study aims to compare these approaches in preventing intensive care unit-acquired weakness ICUAW and improving muscle strength, delirium, sleep status, clinical outcomes, daily activities, and quality of life. Participants in the technology-assisted early mobilization group receive a protocol-based early mobilization program delivered by physiotherapists and researchers, plus family-assisted technology-based in-bed activities such as handgrip interactive games, virtual reality games, and immersive in-bed cycling. These activities are performed twice daily for 20 minutes each session, five days a week, starting within 72 hours of ventilator use. The systematic early mobilization group receives the same protocol-based program without the technology-assisted activities. The usual care group receives routine rehabilitation treatment. Interventions are applied during the ICU stay. Participants are assessed on enrollment day, during their ICU stay, on ICU discharge day or up to 28 days, at hospital discharge, and six months post-discharge. Measurements include muscle power, hand-grip strength, delirium, sleep quality subjective and objective, functional status, duration of ventilation, lengths of ICU and hospital stay, adverse events, activities of daily living, quality of life, and psychological distress. Safety and clinical outcomes are monitored throughout the study, which lasts several months including follow-up.

Technology-Assisted Early Mobilization Program Among Patients in the Intensive Care Units