Research Article

Early Mobilization Interventions in the Intensive Care Unit: Ongoing and Unpublished Randomized Trials

Table 1

Ongoing and unpublished randomized trials of early mobilization interventions in the ICU on Clinicaltrials.gov.

Study identifierTitlePI/countryInclusion criteriaNStudy armsOutcomesStatus, completion date

NCT02520193Impact of Early Mobilization on Mechanical Ventilation Duration in Intubated Critically Ill Patients (EarlyMob)Poiroux/BelgiumAge ≥ 18
Admission to ICU
MV for 24–48 hours
772I: protocolized EM strategy
C: standard mobilization strategy
(1) Number of days without MV
(2) Incidence of ICUAW, pressure ulcers, delirium, hospital LOS, place of transfer at discharge, days between intubation to spontaneous breathing trial, extubation failure.Time from MV-stand up, ICU length of stay
Unknown 2018

NCT02872792Early Mobilization in Intensive Care Unit: Interest of Cyclo-Ergometry in Patients with Septic Chock (MUEVELO)Beduneau/ FranceAge ≥ 18
Hospitalized in ICU
Septic shock dx ≥ 24 hours
HD stable before 72 hours of MV, RASS ≤ −2
BMI ≤ 40
Contraception (WOCBA)
234I: EM with cyclo-ergometer daily in addition to standard PT
C: standard PT
(1) Number of days between HD stability and discharge from ICU
(2) Number of days between HD stability and cessation of sedation
(3) Number of days under MV
Recruiting 2019

NCT02300662Early Mobilization for Critical Patients on Invasive Mechanical Ventilation in the Intensive Care Unit (MoVe-ICU)Vierira/ BrazilAge ≥ 18
ICU transfer ≤ 1 week after ER/ward
MV 24–48 hours
28I: conventional PT and cycle ergometer for 20 minutes, passive movement of cycle—flexion/extension of knees and hips
C: conventional PT
(1) Change in cross-sectional quadriceps thickness
(2) Change in length of fascicle, pennation angle, thickness of vastus lateralis, diaphragm thickness and excursion
Completed 2015

NCT02312648Impact of Mobilization on Cardiac SurgeryChiavegato/BrazilAge 21–90
Elective CABG
BMI 20–30
MV < 24 hours
HD stable ± pressors
No arrhythmia/angina
MAP 60–100
HR 60–100
No respiratory distress
52I: deep breath until POD#7, NIV for 30–60 minutes post extubation
Upper + lower limb ergometer exercises, limb exercises, chair transfer
C: respiratory exercises, NIV for 30–60 minutes post-extubation
(1) Functional capacity—preoperative, at hospital discharge, and 60 days postoperative (6-minute walk test)
(2) ICU and hospital length of stay, postoperative pulmonary complication
Completed 2016

NCT02864745Early Mobilization and Intensive Rehabilitation in the Critically Ill (EMIR)Duska/Czech RepublicAge ≥ 18
MV or imminent need
Predicted ICU LOS ≥7 days
150I: very early (<48 hours), protocolized, intensive rehabilitation—functional electrical stimulation-assisted cycle ergometry
C: standard rehab delivered by non-study PT
(1) Quality of life—Short Form 36 score
(2) 4-item physical fitness in ICU, muscle mass, nitrogen balance, muscle power, number ventilator free days, number rehab interruptions, number episodes of elevated ICP, number dialysis interruptions, ICU LOS
Recruiting 2019

NCT03554811Early Rehabilitation using Functional Electrical Stimulation-Assisted Supine Cycling in the Intensive Care UnitSmith/USAAge ≥ 18
Predicted ICU LOS ≥4 days
Expected ICU survival
Expected MV > 48 hours
Can perform outcome measures premorbidly
32I: functional electrical stimulation-assisted supine cycling within 48 hours of ICU admission
C: conventional early exercise and mobility interventions—standard ICU exercise and mobility as per alertness and stability
(1) Percent change of rectus femoris cross-sectional area (baseline, weekly, at ICU discharge and hospital discharge)
(2) Diaphragm muscle thickness by ultrasound, muscle strength (MRCS), physical function (PFIT, FFS-ICU, SPPB, 6MWT), quality of life (SF-36 survey), cognition (MoCA), hospital LOS, ICU LOS, duration of MV
Not yet recruiting 2020

NCT03229070Cycle Ergometer in the Postoperative of Thoracic Surgery (CE_PTS)Macagna/ BrazilAge 30–80
Planned thoracotomy, VATS for pulmonary resection
Extubated
HD stable MAP 60–100, HR 50–100 O2 saturation  ≥ 90%
Prescription for respiratory and motor PT
135IA: interval effort group: high load -> active recovery phase with light to moderate load
1B: continuous effort group: mild to moderate intensity
C: standard care
(1) 6MWT
(2) Number of success on lift and sit on chair
Not yet recruiting 2018

NCT03133377Treatment of Invasively Ventilated Adults with Early Activity and Mobilization (TEAM (III))Hodgson/AustraliaAge ≥ 18
MV for 2 or more days
HD stable
Respiratory stability
750I: daily assessment by ICU PT using IMS scale, protocol is hierarchical
C: standard care by PT
(1) Number of days alive and out of hospital
(2) Mortality, ventilator-free days, ICU-free days, quality of life, EQ5D-5L, Barthel’s basic activities of daily living, Lawton’s instrumental activities of daily living, WHODAS.
Others: delirium-free days, MoCA, HADS, and IES-R scores
Recruiting 2021

NCT03771014A Feasibility Study of Early Mobilization Programmes in Critical Care (EMPRESS)Cusack/United KingdomAge ≥ 42
ICU admission
Independent (barthel > 80)
in hospital <5 days
Expected MV for 48 hours
90I: standard PT regimen and 2 times 30 minutes rehabilitation sessions 5 days per week
C: standard care PT
(1) Physical function ICU test score
(2) Muscle strength and function MRC, handheld dynamometry, CPAX, time up and go, clinical frailty score, Barthel ADL, 6MWT, HADS WHODAS, EQ5D-5L
Not yet recruiting 2021

NCT03770442Muscle Wasting in the Critically IllWelters/United KingdomAge 18–90
ICU admission
MV and initial sedation
Definite or suspected sepsis of any source
36I: cycling with functional electrical stimulation (FES).
Will also receive routine PT.
C: routine PT
(1) Change in muscle thickness or fascicle pennation angle of various muscles. Change in thickness with respiration.
(2) Change in blood or urine biomarkers, 6MWT, hand grip dynamometry, limb strength, balance, SF-36, MIP, CAM ICU, RRT, total dose of noradrenaline, fluid balance, insulin per day, glucose, HR variability, safety measures
Not yet recruiting 2020

NCT01705015Organ Transplantation Rehabilitation: Effect of Bedside Exercise Devices and Activity ReinforcementChen/TaiwanAge 18–80
After heart or liver transplant at NTUH
Independent 6 weeks preadmission
110I: ICFit and direct feedback—encouraged to look at summary of daily data and encouraged to pedal
C: UCFit and encouraged—graph of mins cycled left at bedside
(1) Level of independence for walking 150 feet; walking speed for 50 feet; 6MWT; cardiopulmonary exercise testing
(2) total exercise; SF-36; LOS; rate of rehospitalization; complications to exercise
Unknown 2015

ACTRN12618000374268The Effectiveness of Early Functional Occupation-Based Retraining Therapy in a Medical/Surgical Intensive Care UnitRapolthy-Beck/AustraliaAge ≥ 18
ICU admission
Expected MV ≥ 48 hours
30I: (I) performance-based and cognitive stimulation
(II) Qualitative component –explore experience of participants
C: usual OT care
(1) Independence for activities of daily living (FIM) at discharge and 90 days follow-up
(2) Functional ability (modified Barthel’s), MoCA, dynamometer, SF-36, HADS, RASS, GCS, CAM-ICU
Recruiting 2020

ACTRN12614001059651Effects of Combined Electrical Muscle Stimulation and Resistance Exercises in Duration of Mechanical Ventilation in Critically Ill PatientsVieira/ BrazilAge ≥ 18
ICU admission
MV
40I: resistance exercise, electrical mechanical stimulation, or both
C: usual care by respiratory PT
(1) Duration of MV
(2) LOS in ICU, biomarker analysis (IGF-1, IL1B, IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, TNF-a) performed at baseline and at ICU discharge
Completed 2015

ACTRN12614000763640A Randomized Controlled Study of the Awakening and Breathing Trial Coordination; Delirium Monitoring and Management; and Early Exercise and Mobility (ABCDE) Bundle to Improve Functional and Cognitive Capacity in Ventilated Critically Ill PatientsSosnowski/AustraliaAge 18–99
MV ≥ 48 hours
100I: daily SBT and SAT, delirium assessment and exercise to identify etiology and minimize, target RASS
C: standard therapy without use of any protocols
(1) Physical function ICU test, MoCA, and Barthel index (2) RASS scale, CAM-ICUNot yet recruiting 2014

Abbreviations: 6MWT, 6-minute walk test; Barthel’s ADL, Barthel’s activity of daily living; BMI, body mass index; CABG, coronary artery bypass graft; CAM ICU, confusion assessment method for the ICU; CPAX, Chelsea critical care physical assessment tool; Dx, diagnosed; GCS, Glasgow Coma Scale; HD, hemodynamic; EQ5D-5L; 5 Level EuroQol 5 dimension; ER, emergency room; FFS-ICU, Functional Status Score for the Intensive Care Unit; FIM, functional independence measure; HADS, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; HR, heart rate; ICP, intracranial pressure; ICU, intensive care unit; ICUAW, intensive care unit acquired weakness; IES-R, Impact of Event Scale-Revised; IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor 1; IL1b, interleukin 1b; IL6, interleukin 6; IL10, interleukin 10; IL18, interleukin 18; IMS, ICU Mobility Scale; LOS, length of stay; MAP, mean arterial pressure; MIP, maximal inspiratory pressure; MoCA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment; MRCS, Medical Research Council Scale; MV, mechanical ventilation; NIV, noninvasive ventilation; OT, occupational therapy; PFIT, Physical Function ICU Test; POD, postop day; PT, physiotherapy; RASS, Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale; RRT, renal replacement therapy; SAT, spontaneous awakening trial; SBT, spontaneous breathing trial; SF-36; Short Form 36; SPPB, Short Physical Performance Battery; TNFa, tumor necrosis factor alpha; QoL, quality of life; VATS, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery; WOCBA, woman of child bearing age; O2, oxygen; WHODAS, World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule.