Schweickert et al. studied effects of early physical and occupational therapy in mechanically ventilated patients. 109 mechanically ventilated medical ICU patients (with independent functional status prior to hospitalization) were randomized to receive physical and occupational therapy initiated at time of enrollment (intervention group) vs. physical and occupational therapy ordered at the discretion of the primary team (control group), with both groups receiving daily interruptions of sedation. The primary outcome, independent functional status at time of discharge, was met in 59% of the intervention group vs. 35% of the control group (p = 0.02). Lower rates of ICU and hospital delirium were observed in the intervention group. Hospital length of stay and mortality were unaffected. This study demonstrated that physical and occupational therapy can be safely accomplished in critically ill, mechanically ventilated medical ICU patients, and that early implementation of therapy may improve return to independent functional status at hospital discharge.
