Early mobilization for mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit:a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Early mobilization(EM) is a regimen that was carried out by physiotherapists in a relatively early stage. It has been investigated by an increasing number of researchers. However, there has not been a meta-analysis concerning whether EM could benefit the clinical outcomes of critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation(MV). The present systematic review aims to evaluate the effect of EM compared with immobilization for mechanically ventilated patients.Methods: A computerized literature search was performed in six databases for related articles from inception to June 2017. We included randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials and used the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale to assess the quality of included studies. Primary outcomes were measures of muscle function, duration of MV, and incidence of mortality.Secondary outcomes were adverse effects and length of stay(LOS) in intensive care unit(ICU) and hospital.Results: Eight trials were included; of those, only one study without standard EM reported that the intervention was invalid to improve the outcomes. The result of meta-analysis indicated that EM shortened the duration of MV; however, it had no positive effect on mortality and LOS in ICU.Conclusions: This review suggests that EM improves the muscle function and ventilation duration. Further research highlighting standard intervention and specific groups is needed.

Management of early mobilization in intensive care units:a multicenter cross-sectional study

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the management of early mobilization(EM) in Chinese intensive care units(ICUs).Methods: This survey used a cross-sectional, observational design. A total of 65 tertiary and secondary hospitals were enrolled by convenience sampling and investigated using self-designed questionnaires.Results: We identified 69 ICUs in Jiangsu, China(response rate: 94.2%). 74.2%(1,004/1,353) of the nurses and nursing managers from 65 ICUs reported mobility practice. For the mobility level, 98.1%(1,327) reported use of in-bed exercise, 5.7%(77) sitting on a side of bed, 21.7%(294) transfer to chair, and 2.4%(33) walking. The most frequently reported barriers to early mobility were unplanned extubation, nursing resource, and absence of physical therapist. Nurses’ educational backgrounds, nursing experience, the lack of nursing resources, absence of physician, and the weakness of patient were the factors that influenced ICU early rehabilitation(P<0.01).Conclusions: Although implementation rates for EM in critically ill patients are high, the activity level is generally poor in most of the involved ICUs.

Outcome after early mobilization following hip reconstruction in children with developmental hip dysplasia and luxation

Background Most orthopedic surgeons prefer spica cast immobilization in children for 4 to 12 weeks after surgical hip reconstruction in children with developmental hip dysplasia.This challenging treatment may be associated with complica-tions.Studies are lacking that focus on early mobilization without casting for postoperative care after hip reconstruction.Methods Twenty-seven children(3.4±2.0 years),including 33 hips with developmental hip dysplasia(DDH)and dislocation of the hip(Tonnis grade 1 to 4),who underwent hip reconstruction(Dega acetabuloplasty,varisation-derotation osteotomy and facultative open reduction)were retrospectively included in this study.Postoperatively the patients were placed in an individual foam shell with 30 degrees of hip abduction,hip extension,and neutral rotation.Early mobilization physiotherapy was performed within the first few days after the surgery under epidural anaesthesia.Full weight bearing was allowed after 3-4 weeks.All children received a clinical examination and radiographic evaluation before and after surgical intervention.The follow-up period was 12.3±2.9 months.Results On average,the postoperative acetabular index decreased significantly from 36.9 to 21.7 degrees and the center-edge angle increased from 9.9 to 28.6 degrees.All hips had reached Tonnis grade 1 at the time of the last follow-up.No complications such as dislocation of the bone wedge,avascular necrosis of the acetabulum or femur,lack of non-union,or nerve injury,were reported.Conclusions In this cohort study,hip reconstruction was successful according to clinical and radiographic outcome param-eters after early mobilization without cast therapy.Early mobilization may be used as an alternative treatment option after hip reconstruction in DDH.

Cardiac rehabilitation after cardiac surgery:An important underutilized treatment strategy

Physical inactivity remains in high levels after cardiac surgery,reaching up to 50%.Patients present a significant loss of functional capacity,with prominent muscle weakness after cardiac surgery due to anesthesia,surgical incision,duration of cardiopulmonary bypass,and mechanical ventilation that affects their quality of life.These complications,along with pulmonary complications after surgery,lead to extended intensive care unit(ICU)and hospital length of stay and significant mortality rates.Despite the well-known beneficial effects of cardiac rehabilitation,this treatment strategy still remains broadly underutilized in patients after cardiac surgery.Prehabilitation and ICU early mobilization have been both showed to be valid methods to improve exercise tolerance and muscle strength.Early mobilization should be adjusted to each patient’s functional capacity with progressive exercise training,from passive mobilization to more active range of motion and resistance exercises.Cardiopulmonary exercise testing remains the gold standard for exercise capacity assessment and optimal prescription of aerobic exercise intensity.During the last decade,recent advances in healthcare technology have changed cardiac rehabilitation perspectives,leading to the future of cardiac rehabilitation.By incorporating artificial intelligence,simulation,telemedicine and virtual cardiac rehabilitation,cardiac surgery patients may improve adherence and compliance,targeting to reduced hospital readmissions and decreased healthcare costs.

Intensive care unit-acquired weakness–preventive,and therapeutic aspects;future directions and special focus on lung transplantation

In this editorial,comments are made on an interesting article in the recent issue of the World Journal of Clinical Cases by Wang and Long.The authors describe the use of neural network model to identify risk factors for the development of intensive care unit(ICU)-acquired weakness.This condition has now become common with an increasing number of patients treated in ICUs and continues to be a source of morbidity and mortality.Despite identification of certain risk factors and corrective measures thereof,lacunae still exist in our understanding of this clinical entity.Numerous possible pathogenetic mechanisms at a molecular level have been described and these continue to be increasing.The amount of retrievable data for analysis from the ICU patients for study can be huge and enormous.Machine learning techniques to identify patterns in vast amounts of data are well known and may well provide pointers to bridge the knowledge gap in this condition.This editorial discusses the current knowledge of the condition including pathogenesis,diagnosis,risk factors,preventive measures,and therapy.Furthermore,it looks specifically at ICU acquired weakness in recipients of lung transplantation,because–unlike other solid organ transplants-muscular strength plays a vital role in the preservation and survival of the transplanted lung.Lungs differ from other solid organ transplants in that the proper function of the allograft is dependent on muscle function.Muscular weakness especially diaphragmatic weakness may lead to prolonged ventilation which has deleterious effects on the transplanted lung–ranging from ventilator associated pneumonia to bronchial anastomotic complications due to prolonged positive pressure on the anastomosis.

Prospective Study on Effectiveness of Belfast Regime on Flexion Tendon Injury Zone V Using Tam Scoring

About 20% of injuries presented in the emergency room that require surgical repair involve the hand. Most of these injuries result from sharp objects such as glass and knives, and blades in case of suicide. In Pakistan, the most common injuries occur at the junction between the transverse distal crease on the wrist and the forearm muscles (zone 5). Wrist injuries are difficult to repair since they result in the tendon, ulnar and median nerve and arteries abrasion. In addition, an inadequate approach could damage abrasion and swelling of the flexor muscles, risking the functioning of the hand. A good outcome necessitates prioritizing the flexor muscles to avoid swelling and hand dysfunction. The objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of Belfast rehabilitation in the treatment of flexion tendon injury. The process of rehabilitation was carried out for a period of 2 years. Using the Belfast regime as a post-rehabilitation regime ensures no adhesion formation, swelling, or delayed healing.

Determination of functional prognosis in hospitalized patients following an intensive care admission

AIM To investigate the factors associated with the functional progress of hospitalized patients following an intensive care admission.METHODS Retrospective study including data from a cohort of 198 hospitalized patients following an intensive care admission and not requiring mechanical ventilation in a single tertiary referral hospital. A generalized linear model was used to identify the main effects of clinical and demographic variables on the outcomes of functionality(KATZ Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living) and muscle strength(MRC Scale). The covariates identified as independent predictors were analysed using the receiver operating characteristic curves. The analysis differentiated the periods in the intensive care unit(ICU), in the Ward(WARD) and the total time of hospital stay(TOT).RESULTS Considering the functional outcome(ΔKATZ), the variables that significantly contributed to the model(P < 0.05) were the KATZ and MRC on admission, age, sepsis(no), and total length of stay(TLS). Regarding the muscle strength outcome model(ΔMRC), the predictors were MRC on admission, Simplified Acute Physiology Score III, previous stroke, TLS, and sex(female). The variable age(AUC = 0.664) discriminated the ΔKATZICU. The variables age(AUC = 0.712), KATZ in ICU(AUC = 0.590) and on ward admission(AUC = 0.746), and MRC on ward admission(AUC = 0.721) were discriminative for ΔKATZWARD. For ΔKATZTOT the variables KATZ on ICU admission(AUC = 0.621) and TLS(AUC = 0.617) were discriminative. For ΔMRCICU the variables SAPSIII(AUC = 0.661) and MRC on ICU admission(AUC = 0.653) were discriminative. MRC on ICU(AUC = 0.681) and ward admission(AUC = 0.553) were discriminative for ΔMRCWARD. TLS(AUC = 0.649) and MRC on ward admission(AUC = 0.696) discriminative for the ΔMRCTOT.CONCLUSION Specific functional, clinical and demographical variables at ICU admission are associated with the functional prognosis during the hospitalization period.

Status of adult inpatient burn rehabilitation in Europe: are we neglecting metabolic outcomes?

Background:Hypermetabolism,muscle wasting and insulin resistance are challenging yet important rehabilitation targets in the management of burns.In the absence of concrete practice guidelines,however,it remains unclear how these metabolic targets are currently managed.This study aimed to describe the current practice of inpatient rehabilitation across Europe.Methods:An electronic survey was distributed by the European Burn Association to burn centres throughout Europe,comprising generic and profession-specific questions directed at therapists,medical doctors and dieticians.Questions concerned exercise prescription,metabolic management and treatment priorities,motivation and knowledge of burn-induced metabolic sequelae.Odds ratios were computed to analyse associations between data derived from the responses of treatment priorities and knowledge of burn-induced metabolic sequelae.Results:Fifty-nine clinicians with 12.3±9 years of professional experience in burns,representing 18 out of 91 burn centres(response rate,19.8%)across eight European countries responded.Resistance and aerobic exercises were only provided by 42%and 38%of therapists to intubated patients,87%and 65%once out-of-bed mobility was possible and 97%and 83%once patients were able to leave their hospital room,respectively.The assessment of resting energy expenditure by indirect calorimetry,muscle wasting and insulin resistance was carried out by only 40.7%,15.3%and 7.4%respondents,respectively,with large variability in employed frequency and methods.Not all clinicians changed their care in cases of hypermetabolism(59.3%),muscle wasting(70.4%)or insulin resistance(44.4%),and large variations in management strategies were reported.Significant interdisciplinary variation was present in treatment goal importance ratings,motivation and knowledge of burn-induced metabolic sequelae.The prevention of metabolic sequelae was regarded as the least important treatment goal,while the restoration of functional status was rated as the most important.Knowledge of burn-induced metabolic sequelae was linked to higher importance ratings of metabolic sequelae as a therapy goal(odds ratio,4.63;95%CI,1.50–14.25;p<0.01).Conclusion:This survey reveals considerable non-uniformity around multiple aspects of inpatient rehabilitation across European burn care,including,most notably,a potential neglect of metabolic outcomes.The results contribute to the necessary groundwork to formulate practice guidelines for inpatient burn rehabilitation.