First results about recovery of walking function in patients with intensive care unit-acquired muscle weakness from the General Weakness Syndrome Therapy (GymNAST) cohort study

Comprehensive assessment and progression of health status during neurorehabilitation in survivors of critical illness: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Critical illness survivors frequently suffer from long-term impairments, often described as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). PICS encompasses physical, cognitive, and mental impairments. Additionally, the term intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired weakness (ICUAW) was coined for muscle weakness after critical illness. Research on the progression and outcome of individuals affected by PICS and ICUAW is scant. Thus we aimed to assess the health status and its progression during neurorehabilitation in critically ill patients using comprehensive outcome measures, describe the prevalence of PICS, and evaluate factors associated with rehabilitation outcomes.

METHODS

Patients with mixed reasons for critical illness who received ≥ 5 days of mechanical ventilation on the ICU and who were admitted to neurorehabilitation, were eligible to be included in this prospective cohort study. A number of outcomes (patient-reported, clinician-reported, and performance) were assessed after discharge from the ICU (V1) and shortly before discharge from inpatient neurorehabilitation (V2). The prevalence of PICS, defined as having at least one impairment in any PICS dimension), was calculated at V1 and V2. Multiple logistic regressions were conducted to identify factors associated with rehabilitation outcome (poor outcome = modified Rankin Scale > 2) and ICUAW at V2 (MRC sum score < 48).

RESULTS

In total, 250 critical illness survivors (62 ± 14 years, 34% female, median stay on ICU 55 days, median inpatient rehabilitation 65 days) were included. 11 participants (4.4%) died before V2. All outcomes improved significantly during rehabilitation except sensory impairment and pain. PICS was present in 96% at V1 and in 85% at V2, whereby mainly the physical domain (V1: 87%, V2: 66%; ICUAW with MRC sum score < 48) and the cognitive domain (V1:65%, V2:55%; Montreal Cognitive Assessment < 26) were affected. Mental impairment was lower (V1:48%, V2:29%; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale > 7), but still affected a considerable number of participants. Accordingly, health-related quality of life was rather low at discharge (0.64 ± 0.28, index value of EQ-5D-5L). MRC sum score at V1, duration of mechanical ventilation, and female gender were significantly associated with a poor rehabilitation outcome. Grip strength in % of reference at V1, age, female gender, and comorbidities were significantly associated with persistent ICUAW at discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite significant improvements during rehabilitation, survivors after critical illness experience a substantial burden of PICS and ICUAW at discharge from rehabilitation care. Survivors of critical illness require long-term follow-up, supportive structures, and tailored long-term multi-disciplinary therapies even after intensive rehabilitation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00021753. Registered 03 September, 2020. https://drks.de/search/en/trial/DRKS00021753 .

Pre-Admission Predictors of Walking Independence in Critically Ill Patients

BACKGROUND

Recovery of walking independence in critically ill patients is required for safe discharge home. However, the pre-admission predictors affecting this outcome in this patient group are unknown. This study aimed to identify these predictors.

METHODS

We included subjects who required mechanical ventilation for at least 48 h and could walk before admission. We investigated frailty, cognitive impairment, and malnutrition risk according to the pre-admission health status. Walking independence was defined as the ability to walk for at least 45 m on level ground. The primary outcome was the association between the time to event from an ICU discharge to walking independence, and pre-admission predictors were analyzed using a Fine-Gray proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS

The rate of walking independence was 38.0 (100 cases/person-month; sample N = 144). In the proportional hazards regression model, adjusted for covariates, frailty (hazard ratio [HR] 0.08 [95% CI 0.01-0.67]), pre-frailty (HR 0.37 [95% CI 0.14-0.99]), cognitive impairment (HR 0.21 [95% CI 0.05-0.90]), and malnutrition risk (HR 0.20 [95% CI 0.07-0.58]) were associated with walking independence.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-admission frailty or pre-frailty, cognitive impairment, and malnutrition risk can help predict walking independence in critically ill patients who require mechanical ventilation.

Balance function in critical illness survivors and evaluation of psychometric properties of the Mini-BESTest

Critical illness survivors commonly face impairments, such as intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW) which is characterized by muscle weakness and sensory deficits. Despite these symptoms indicating potential balance deficits, systematic investigations and validated assessments are lacking. Therefore, we aimed to assess balance function using the Mini-BESTest, evaluate its psychometric properties, and identify associated variables. Balance was assessed post-ICU discharge (V1) and at discharge from inpatient neurorehabilitation (V2) in patients with ≥ 5 days of invasive ventilation. Mini-BESTest measurement characteristics were evaluated in an ambulatory subgroup. A multiple linear regression was conducted. The prospective cohort study comprised 250 patients (34% female, 62 ± 14 years, median ICU stay 55 days). Median Mini-BESTest scores improved significantly from V1 (5 (IQR 0-15)) to V2 (18.5 (10-23)) with a large effect size. Excellent inter-rater and test-retest reliabilities of the Mini-BESTest were observed (ICC = 0.981/0.950). Validity was demonstrated by a very high correlation with the Berg Balance Scale (ρ = 0.90). No floor or ceiling effects were detected. Muscle strength, cognitive function, cerebral disease, critical illness polyneuropathy/myopathy, and depression were significantly associated with balance. Despite significant improvements during the rehabilitation period, balance disorders were prevalent in critical illness survivors. Ongoing therapy is recommended. Due to its excellent psychometric properties, the Mini-BESTest is suitable for use in critical illness survivors.Registration: The study was registered at the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00021753, date of registration: 2020-09-03).

Association between the early mobilization of mechanically ventilated patients and independence in activities of daily living at hospital discharge

Physical dysfunction after discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU) is recognized as a common complication among ICU patients. Early mobilization (EM), defined as the ability to sit on the edge of the bed within 5 days, may help improve physical dysfunction. However, the barriers to, and achievement of, EM and their impact on physical dysfunction have not been fully investigated. This study aimed to investigate the achievement of EM and barriers to it and their impact on patient outcomes in mechanically ventilated ICU patients. We conducted this multicenter retrospective cohort study by collecting data from six ICUs in Japan. Consecutive patients who were admitted to the ICU between April 2019 and March 2020, were aged ≥ 18 years, and received mechanical ventilation for > 48 h were eligible. The primary outcome was the rate of independent activities of daily living (ADL), defined as a score ≥ 70 on the Barthel index at hospital discharge. Daily changes in barriers of mobilization, including consciousness, respiratory, circulatory, medical staff factors, and device factors (catheter, drain, and dialysis), along with the clinical outcomes were investigated. The association among barriers, mobilization, and Barthel index ≥ 70 was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. During the study period, 206 patients were enrolled. EM was achieved in 116 patients (68%) on the fifth ICU day. The primary outcome revealed that achieving EM was associated with a Barthel index ≥ 70 at hospital discharge [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 3.44; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.70-6.96]. Device factors (AOR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.13-0.75, respectively) were significantly associated with EM achievement. EM was associated with independent ADL at hospital discharge. Time to first mobilization and barriers to achieving mobilization can be important parameters for achieving ADL independence at discharge. Further research is required to determine the most common barriers so that they can be identified and removed.

Reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Functional Status Score for the ICU after translation and cross-cultural adaptation

PURPOSE

The Functional Status Score for the Intensive Care Unit (FSS-ICU) evaluates the physical function of ICU patients. The objective of the study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the FSS-ICU into Korean and assess its reliability and validity.

METHODS

An expert committee supervised the forward and backward translation process and the final translated version. Experienced physiotherapists assessed patients (n= 31) from a medical ICU using the Korean version of FSS-ICU. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman's plots were used to evaluate reliability, and Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency. Construct validity was evaluated using Spearman's correlation coefficients.

RESULTS

Two physiotherapists in each of the two university hospitals independently assessed 31 medical ICU patients, with a mean FSS-ICU total score of 23 (range: 4-35). The FSS-ICU Korean version demonstrated excellent internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha of 0.897 for the total FSS-ICU score, and a range of 0.844-0.892 with deletion of each individual activity within the FSS-ICU. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability were excellent for all of five FSS-ICU activities and the total score, with an ICC range of 0.930-0.993. Bland-Altman's plots revealed a mean difference in FSS-ICU total score of 0.2 (95% limits of agreement: -1.9 to 2.3) between two physiotherapists. The Korean version of FSS-ICU had good convergent and divergent validity with moderate to strong correlation with mobility and muscle strength measures, and poor correlation with unrelated measures.

CONCLUSIONS

The Korean version of the FSS-ICU showed excellent intra-rater and inter-rater reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity for medical ICU patients. The results of this study, along with prior publications, support that the FSS-ICU Korean version is a valid and reliable assessment tool for the ICU environment.Implications for rehabilitationIntensive care unit patients usually experience decreased muscle strength and physical function.The Korean version of the Functional Status Score for the Intensive Care Unit (FSS-ICU) is suitable for use with Korean speakers and has a valid, reliable measurement tool for physical function of intensive care unit patients.A well-standardized training with videos and written materials is important to ensure correct implementation of the Korean version of the FSS-ICU.

The association of macronutrient deficit with functional status at discharge from the intensive care unit: a retrospective study from a single-center critical illness registry

BACKGROUND

Nutrition is often thought to influence outcomes in critically ill patients. However, the relationship between macronutrient delivery and functional status is not well characterized. Our goal was to investigate whether caloric or protein deficit over the course of critical illness is associated with functional status at the time of intensive care unit (ICU) discharge.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of surgical ICU patients at a teaching hospital in Boston, MA. To investigate the association of caloric or protein deficit with Functional Status Score for the ICU (FSS-ICU), we constructed linear regression models, controlling for age, sex, race, body mass index, Nutritional Risk in the Critically Ill score, and ICU length of stay. We then dichotomized caloric as well as protein deficit, and performed logistic regressions to investigate their association with functional status, controlling for the same variables.

RESULTS

Linear regression models (n = 976) demonstrated a caloric deficit of 238 kcal (237.88; 95%CI 75.13-400.63) or a protein deficit of 14 g (14.23; 95%CI 4.46-24.00) was associated with each unit decrement in FSS-ICU. Logistic regression models demonstrated a 6% likelihood (1.06; 95%CI 1.01-1.14) of caloric deficit ≥6000 vs. <6000 kcal and an 8% likelihood (1.08; 95%CI 1.01-1.15) of protein deficit ≥300 vs. <300 g with each unit decrement in FSS-ICU.

CONCLUSION

In our cohort of patients, macronutrient deficit over the course of critical illness was associated with worse functional status at discharge. Future studies are needed to determine whether optimized macronutrient delivery can improve outcomes in ICU survivors.

Impact on Mental, Physical and Cognitive functioning of a Critical care sTay during the COVID-19 pandemic (IMPACCT COVID-19): protocol for a prospective, multicentre, mixed-methods cohort study

INTRODUCTION

The ongoing pandemic could affect the duration, variety and severity of the mental, physical, and cognitive impairments intensive care unit (ICU) survivors and their families frequently present. We aim to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental, physical, and cognitive health of survivors, the experience of their families and their treating healthcare professionals.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Prospective, multicentre, mixed-methods cohort study in seven Chilean ICUs.

SAMPLE

450 adults, able to walk independently prior to admission, in ICU and mechanical ventilation >48 hours with and without COVID-19. Clinical Frailty Scale, Charlson comorbidity index, mobility (Functional Status Score for the Status Score for the Intensive Care Unit) and muscle strength (Medical Research Council Sum Score) will be assessed at ICU discharge. Cognitive functioning (Montreal Cognitive Assessment-blind), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), post-traumatic stress (Impact of Event Scale-Revised) symptoms, disability (WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0), quality of life (European Quality of Life Health Questionnaire), employment and survival will be assessed at ICU discharge, 3 months and 6 months. A sample will be assessed using actigraphy and the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire at 6 months after ICU discharge. Trajectories of mental, physical, and cognitive impairments will be estimated using multilevel longitudinal modelling. A sensitivity analysis using multiple imputations will be performed to account for missing data and loss-to-follow-up. Survival will be analysed using Kaplan-Meier curves. The perceptions of family members regarding the ICU stay and the later recovery will be explored 3 months after discharge. Healthcare professionals will be invited to discuss the challenges faced during the pandemic using semistructured interviews. Interviews will be thematically analysed by two independent coders to identify the main themes of the experience of family members and healthcare professionals.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study was approved by the Clinica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo Ethics Committee (2020-78) and each participating site. Study findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated through social media and conference meetings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04979897.

Society of Critical Care Medicine's International Consensus Conference on Prediction and Identification of Long-Term Impairments After Critical Illness

BACKGROUND

After critical illness, new or worsening impairments in physical, cognitive, and/or mental health function are common among patients who have survived. Who should be screened for long-term impairments, what tools to use, and when remain unclear.

OBJECTIVES

Provide pragmatic recommendations to clinicians caring for adult survivors of critical illness related to screening for postdischarge impairments.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-one international experts in risk-stratification and assessment of survivors of critical illness, including practitioners involved in the Society of Critical Care Medicine's Thrive Post-ICU Collaboratives, survivors of critical illness, and clinical researchers.

DESIGN

Society of Critical Care Medicine consensus conference on post-intensive care syndrome prediction and assessment, held in Dallas, in May 2019. A systematic search of PubMed and the Cochrane Library was conducted in 2018 and updated in 2019 to complete an original systematic review and to identify pre-existing systematic reviews.

MEETING OUTCOMES

We concluded that existing tools are insufficient to reliably predict post-intensive care syndrome. We identified factors before (e.g., frailty, preexisting functional impairments), during (e.g., duration of delirium, sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome), and after (e.g., early symptoms of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder) critical illness that can be used to identify patients at high-risk for cognitive, mental health, and physical impairments after critical illness in whom screening is recommended. We recommend serial assessments, beginning within 2-4 weeks of hospital discharge, using the following screening tools: Montreal Cognitive Assessment test; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; Impact of Event Scale-Revised (post-traumatic stress disorder); 6-minute walk; and/or the EuroQol-5D-5L, a health-related quality of life measure (physical function).

CONCLUSIONS

Beginning with an assessment of a patient's pre-ICU functional abilities at ICU admission, clinicians have a care coordination strategy to identify and manage impairments across the continuum. As hospital discharge approaches, clinicians should use brief, standardized assessments and compare these results to patient's pre-ICU functional abilities ("functional reconciliation"). We recommend serial assessments for post-intensive care syndrome-related problems continue within 2-4 weeks of hospital discharge, be prioritized among high-risk patients, using the identified screening tools to prompt referrals for services and/or more detailed assessments.

Early anthropometry, strength, and function in survivors of critical illness

BACKGROUND

Critically ill patients experience acute muscle wasting and long-term functional impairments, yet this has been inadequately categorised early in recovery.

OBJECTIVE

This observational study aimed to evaluate anthropometry, strength, and muscle function after intensive care unit discharge.

METHODS

Adult patients able to complete study measures after prolonged intensive care unit stay (≥5 d) were eligible. Demographic and clinical data were collected, and bodyweight, height, triceps skinfold, trunk length, handgrip strength, 6-minute walk test, whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and mid-thigh, knee, and above-ankle circumferences were measured. Body cell mass was calculated from these data. Data are presented as mean (standard deviation) or median [interquartile range].

RESULTS

Fourteen patients (50% male; 57 [10.5] years) were assessed 11.1 (6.9) d after intensive care unit discharge. Patients lost 4.76 (6.66) kg in the intensive care unit. Triceps skinfold thickness (17.00 [8.65] mm) and handgrip strength (12.60 [8.57] kg) were lower than normative data. No patient could commence the 6-minute walk test. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry-derived muscle mass correlated with handgrip strength (R = 0.57; 95% confidence interval = 0.06-0.85; p = 0.03), but body cell mass did not.

CONCLUSIONS

Anthropometry and strength in intensive care unit survivors are below normal. Muscle mass derived from dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry correlates with handgrip strength but body cell mass does not.

Longtime Neurologic Outcome of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Non Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Survivors

Neurologic complications following acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are well described, however, information on the neurologic outcome regarding peripheral nervous system complications in critically ill ARDS patients, especially those who received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are lacking. In this prospective observational study 28 ARDS patients who survived after ECMO or conventional nonECMO treatment were examined for neurological findings. Nine patients had findings related to cranial nerve innervation, which differed between ECMO and nonECMO patients (p = 0.031). ECMO patients had severely increased patella tendon reflex (PTR) reflex levels (p = 0.027 vs. p = 0.125) as well as gastrocnemius tendon reflex (GTR) (p = 0.041 right, p = 0.149 left) were affected on the right, but not on the left side presumably associated with ECMO cannulation. Paresis (14.3% of patients) was only found in the ECMO group (p = 0.067). Paresthesia was frequent (nonECMO 53.8%, ECMO 62.5%; p = 0.064), in nonECMO most frequently due to initial trauma and polyneuropathy, in the ECMO group mainly due to impairments of N. cutaneus femoris lateralis (4 vs. 0; p = 0.031). Besides well-known central neurologic complications, more subtle complications were detected by thorough clinical examination. These findings are sufficient to hamper activities of daily living and impair quality of life and psychological health and are presumably directly related to ECMO therapy.

International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health Domains of 60 Physical Functioning Measurement Instruments Used During the Adult Intensive Care Unit Stay: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

There has been a recent surge in the creation and adaptation of instruments to measure physical functioning (PF) in the intensive care unit (ICU). Selecting the right measurement instrument depends on understanding the core constructs that it measures in terms of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) domains.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to map systematically the ICF domains and subdomains included in the PF measurement instruments used for adult patients during the ICU stay.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic search was carried out in Cochrane CENTRAL, PubMed, CINAHL, and LILACS as well as a hand search up to May 17, 2017.

STUDY SELECTION

Study selection included all types of research articles that used at least 1 PF measurement instrument in adult patients within the ICU.

DATA EXTRACTION

Study design, year of publication, study population, and the measurement instruments reported were recorded. A consensus of experts analyzed the ICF domains included in each instrument.

DATA SYNTHESIS

We found 181 articles containing 60 PF measurement instruments used during the ICU stay. Twenty-six ICF domains were identified, 38 instruments included Mobility, and 13 included Muscle function.

LIMITATIONS

Studies not written in English or Spanish were excluded.

CONCLUSIONS

There are numerous PF measurement instruments used in adult patients in the ICU. The most frequent ICF domain measured is Mobility. This study highlights the ICF domains contained in the instruments that can be used clinically, providing a complete database of instruments that could facilitate selection of the most appropriate measure based on the patients' needs.

Effects of early, combined endurance and resistance training in mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients: A randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Neuromuscular weakness resulting in severe functional impairment is common in critical care survivors. This study aimed to evaluate effects of an early progressive rehabilitation intervention in mechanically ventilated adults at risk.

METHODS

This was a parallel, two-arm, assessor-blinded, randomised controlled trial with 6-months follow-up that was conducted in a mixed ICU of an academic centre in Switzerland. Previously independent, mechanically ventilated, critically ill adults with expected critical care stay ≥72 hours (n = 115) were randomised to a control group receiving standard physiotherapy including early mobilisation or to an experimental group with early endurance and resistance training combined with mobilisation. Primary endpoints were functional capacity (6-Minute Walk Distance) and functional independence (Functional Independence Measure) at hospital discharge. Secondary endpoints including muscle strength were assessed at critical care discharge. Safety was monitored closely by standard monitoring and predefined adverse events.

RESULTS

Physiotherapy started within 48 hours of critical care admission while 97% of participants were still ventilated and 68% on inotropes. Compared to the control group (n = 57), the experimental group (n = 58) received significantly more physiotherapy (sessions: 407 vs 377, p<0.001; time/session: 25min vs 18min, p<0.001) and had less days with sedation (p<0.001). Adverse events were rare (0.6%) and without consequences. There were no significant between-group differences in 6-Minute Walk Distance (experimental 123m (IQR 25-280) vs control 100m (IQR 0-300); p = 0.542) or functional independence (98 (IQR 66-119) vs 98 (IQR 18-115); p = 0.308). Likewise, no differences were found for the secondary outcomes, except a trend towards improved mental health in the experimental group after 6 months (84 (IQR 68-88) vs 70 (IQR 64-76); p = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

Early endurance and resistance training in mechanically ventilated, intensive care patients does not improve functional capacity or independence at hospital discharge compared to early standard physiotherapy but may improve mental health 6-months after critical care discharge.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS): DRKS00004347, registered on 10 September 2012.

Health-related quality of life, participation, and physical and cognitive function of patients with intensive care unit-acquired muscle weakness 1 year after rehabilitation in Germany: the GymNAST cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To describe predictors for health-related quality of life, participation, physical activity and cognitive function in patients with intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired muscle weakness 1 year after discharge from rehabilitation.

DESIGN

This is a cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

We included 150 chronic critically ill individuals with ICU-acquired muscle weakness.

SETTING

Postacute ICU and rehabilitation units in Germany.

MEASURES

We measured health-related quality of life using the EQ-5D, participation using the Reintegration of Normal Living Index, physical activity using the Physical Activity Scale for Individuals With Physical Disabilities, and basal cognitive function using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) at 6 months, and the Clock Drawing Test 6 and 12 months after discharge from postacute treatment. We described the predictors of the results at 12 months.

RESULTS

The best predictors for good health-related quality of life 1 year after discharge were the time until regaining walking ability (OR=0.96, OR per day, 95% CI 0.93 to 0.99) and the mean MoCA score on admission to our postacute ICU and rehabilitation units (OR=1.25,95% CI 1.02 to 1.52).The best predictor for good participation 1 year after discharge was the MoCA sum score on admission to our postacute ICU and rehabilitation units (OR=0.85,95% CI 0.72 to 1.00). The best predictor for good physical activity 1 year after discharge was the Apache sum score on admission to our postacute ICU and rehabilitation units (OR=1.68,95% CI 0.89 to 3.13). The best predictor for normal cognitive function 1 year after discharge was regaining walking function in rehabilitation (OR=8.0,95% CI 0.49 to 13.69).

CONCLUSION

Recovery of health-related quality of life, participation, physical activity and basal cognitive function was still not complete 12 months after discharge from postacute treatment. We described the predictors for these important outcomes in participants with ICU-acquired muscle weakness 1 year after discharge from rehabilitation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

DRKS00007181.

A multimodal rehabilitation program for patients with ICU acquired weakness improves ventilator weaning and discharge home

PURPOSE

To compare the effects of adding a progressive multimodal rehabilitation program to usual care (MRP + UC) versus UC alone on 1) functional mobility, strength, endurance and 2) ventilator weaning and discharge status of patients with ICU-acquired weakness (ICUAW) receiving prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV).

METHODS

Randomized pilot trial of an individualized MRP + UC versus UC in middle-aged and older ICU survivors with ICUAW receiving PMV. Outcomes compare changes in strength, mobility, weaning success and discharge home from a long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) between the groups.

RESULTS

Eighteen males and 14 females (age 60.3 ± 11.9 years) who received PMV for ≥14 days were enrolled. Despite no significant differences between groups in the changes in handgrip, gait speed, short physical performance battery or 6-min walk distance after treatment, the MRP + UC group had greater weaning success (87% vs. 41%, p < 0.01), and more patients discharged home than UC (53 vs. 12%, p = 0.05). Post hoc analyses, combining patients based on successful weaning or discharge home, demonstrated significant improvements in strength, ambulation and mobility.

CONCLUSION

The addition of an MRP that improves strength, physical function and mobility to usual physical therapy in LTACH patients with ICUAW is associated with greater weaning success and discharge home than UC alone.

Brazilian version of the Functional Status Score for the ICU: translation and cross-cultural adaptation

Objective

The aim of the present study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Functional Status Score for the intensive care unit (FSS-ICU) into Brazilian Portuguese.

Methods

This study consisted of the following steps: translation (performed by two independent translators), synthesis of the initial translation, back-translation (by two independent translators who were unaware of the original FSS-ICU), and testing to evaluate the target audience's understanding. An Expert Committee supervised all steps and was responsible for the modifications made throughout the process and the final translated version.

Results

The testing phase included two experienced physiotherapists who assessed a total of 30 critical care patients (mean FSS-ICU score = 25 ± 6). As the physiotherapists did not report any uncertainties or problems with interpretation affecting their performance, no additional adjustments were made to the Brazilian Portuguese version after the testing phase. Good interobserver reliability between the two assessors was obtained for each of the 5 FSS-ICU tasks and for the total FSS-ICU score (intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.88 to 0.91).

Conclusion

The adapted version of the FSS-ICU in Brazilian Portuguese was easy to understand and apply in an intensive care unit environment.

Effects that passive cycling exercise have on muscle strength, duration of mechanical ventilation, and length of hospital stay in critically ill patients: a randomized clinical trial

Objective

To evaluate the effects that passive cycling exercise, in combination with conventional physical therapy, have on peripheral muscle strength, duration of mechanical ventilation, and length of hospital stay in critically ill patients admitted to the ICU of a tertiary care university hospital.

Methods

This was a randomized clinical trial involving 38 patients (≥ 18 years of age) on mechanical ventilation who were randomly divided into two groups: control (n = 16), receiving conventional physical therapy; and intervention (n = 22), receiving conventional physical therapy and engaging in passive cycling exercise five days per week. The mean age of the patients was 46.42 ± 16.25 years, and 23 were male. The outcomes studied were peripheral muscle strength, as measured by the Medical Research Council scale, duration of mechanical ventilation, and length of hospital stay.

Results

There was a significant increase in peripheral muscle strength (baseline vs. final) in both groups (control: 40.81 ± 7.68 vs. 45.00 ± 6.89; and intervention: 38.73 ± 11.11 vs. 47.18 ± 8.75; p < 0.001 for both). However, the range of increase in strength was higher in the intervention group than in the control group (8.45 ± 5.20 vs. 4.18 ± 2.63; p = 0.005). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of duration of mechanical ventilation or length of hospital stay.

Conclusions

The results suggest that the performance of continuous passive mobilization on a cyclical basis helps to recover peripheral muscle strength in ICU patients. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01769846 [http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/]).

Regaining water swallowing function in the rehabilitation of critically ill patients with intensive-care-unit acquired muscle weakness

PURPOSE

Treatment in intensive care units (ICUs) often results in swallowing dysfunction. Recent longitudinal studies have described the recovery of critically ill people, but we are not aware of studies of the recovery of swallowing function in patients with ICU-acquired muscle weakness. This paper aims to describe the time course of regaining water swallowing function in patients with ICU-acquired weakness in the post-acute phase and to describe the risks of regaining water swallowing function and the risk factors involved.

METHODS

This cohort study included patients with ICU-acquired muscle weakness in our post-acute department, who were unable to swallow. We monitored the process of regaining water swallowing function using the 3-ounce water swallowing test.

RESULTS

We included 108 patients with ICU-acquired muscle weakness. Water swallowing function was regained after a median of 12 days (interquartile range =17) from inclusion in the study and after a median of 59 days (interquartile range= 36) from the onset of the primary illness. Our multivariate Cox Proportional Hazard model yielded two main risk factors for regaining water swallowing function: the number of medical tubes such as catheters at admission to the post-acute department (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.282; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.099-1.495) and the time until weaning from the respirator in days (adjusted HR =1.02 per day; 95%CI: 0.998 to 1.008).

CONCLUSION

We describe a time course for regaining water swallowing function based on daily tests in the post-acute phase of critically ill patients. Risk factors associated with regaining water swallowing function in rehabilitation are the number of medical tubes and the duration of weaning from the respirator. Implications for rehabilitation Little guidance is available for the management of swallowing dysfunction in the rehabilitation of critically ill patients with intensive-care-units acquired muscle weakness. There is a time dependent pattern of recovery from swallowing dysfunction with daily water swallowing tests in the post-acute phase of critically ill patients. Daily water swallowing tests can be used to test swallowing dysfunction in the post-acute phase of critically ill patients The amount of medical tubes and the duration of weaning from respirator are associated risk factors for recovery of swallowing dysfunction.

Fitness and mobility training in patients with Intensive Care Unit-acquired muscle weakness (FITonICU): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Critical illness myopathy (CIM) and polyneuropathy (CIP) are a common complication of critical illness. Both cause intensive-care-unit-acquired (ICU-acquired) muscle weakness (ICUAW) which increases morbidity and delays rehabilitation and recovery of activities of daily living such as walking ability. Focused physical rehabilitation of people with ICUAW is, therefore, of great importance at both an individual and a societal level. A recent systematic Cochrane review found no randomised controlled trials (RCT), and thus no supporting evidence, for physical rehabilitation interventions for people with defined CIP and CIM to improve activities of daily living. Therefore, the aim of our study is to compare the effects of an additional physiotherapy programme with systematically augmented levels of mobilisation with additional in-bed cycling (as the parallel group) on walking and other activities of daily living.

METHODS/DESIGN

We will conduct a prospective, rater-masked RCT of people with ICUAW with a defined diagnosis of CIM and/or CIP in our post-acute hospital. We will randomly assign patients to one of two parallel groups in a 1:1 ratio and will use a concealed allocation. One intervention group will receive, in addition to standard ICU treatment, physiotherapy with systematically augmented levels of mobilisation (five times per week, over 2 weeks; 20 min each session; with a total of 10 additional sessions). The other intervention group will receive, in addition to standard ICU treatment, in-bed cycle sessions (same number, frequency and treatment time as the intervention group). Standard ICU treatment includes sitting balance exercise, stretching, positioning, and sit-to-stand training, and transfer training to get out of bed, strengthening exercise (in and out of bed), and stepping and assistive standing exercises. Primary efficacy endpoints will be walking ability (defined as a Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) level of ≥3) and the sum score of the Functional Status Score for the Intensive Care Unit (FSS-ICU) (range 0-22 points) assessed by a blinded tester immediately after 2 weeks of additional therapy. Secondary outcomes will include assessment of sit-to-stand recovery, overall limb strength (Medical Research Council, MRC) and grip strength, the Physical Function for the Intensive Care Unit Test-Scored (PFIT-S), the EuroQol 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire and the Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNL-Index) assessed by a blinded tester. We will measure primary and secondary outcomes with blinded assessors at baseline, immediately after 2 weeks of additional therapy, and at 3 weeks and 6 months and 12 months after the end of the additional therapy intervention. Based on our sample size calculation 108 patients will be recruited from our post-acute ICU in the next 3 to 4 years.

DISCUSSION

This will be the first RCT comparing the effects of two physical rehabilitation interventions for people with ICUAW due to defined CIP and/or CIM to improve walking and other activities of daily living. The results of this trial will provide robust evidence for physical rehabilitation of people with CIP and/or CIP who often require long-term care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

We registered the study on 6 April 2016 before enrolling the first patient in the trial at the German Clinical Trials Register ( www.germanctr.de ) with the identifier DRKS00010269 . This is the first version of the protocol (FITonICU study protocol).

Differences between prolonged weaning patients from medical and surgical intensive care units

BACKGROUND

It is not clear whether patients entering a specialized, interdisciplinary weaning unit from surgical or medical intensive care units (ICU) distinguish substantially. The purpose of the present study was to assess differences in patients with prolonged weaning being referred from surgical and medical ICU.

METHODS

Data collected from April 2013 to April 2014 was conducted for retrospective analysis. Mortality rates, demographic data, clinical, and microbial differences in 150 patients with prolonged weaning were assessed (80 surgical and 70 medical).

RESULTS

Surgical ICU referrals tended to be older (70.7 ± 11.3 vs. 67.3 ± 12.3, P = 0.051) and had fewer underlying pulmonary diseases (45% vs. 60%, P = 0.067). Sodium values at the time of referral to the weaning unit were significantly higher in surgical (147.1 ± 9.6) vs. medical (141.3 ± 6.7 mmol/l) patients (P < 0.001). Each 10-unit increase in sodium at the time of referral to the weaning unit was associated with a 2.5-day (95% CI -0.4, 5.4; P = 0.09) prolongation of stay in the weaning unit. Although significant differences in microbiological agents from tracheal aspiration were seen, the infection rate on the weaning unit was similar in both groups. There was no difference in weaning unit mortality between surgical and medical ICU patients (18% vs. 23%; P = 0.41).

CONCLUSION

Few differences were found between patients being referred to a specialized weaning unit from surgical vs. medical ICUs. Besides differences in microbiological characteristics of tracheal secretions, there were also differences in sodium levels, which appear to influence on treatment duration.