Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

An Exploratory Study Of Physiologic Responses To A Passive Exercise Intervention In Mechanically-Ventilated Critically Ill Adults, Christina M. Amidei

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Muscle weakness is the most common and persistent problem after a critical illness. Early mobilization of the critically ill patient, beginning with passive exercise and progressing to ambulation, may mitigate muscle effects of the critical illness. However, mobilization may produce adverse effects, especially early in the illness when risk for physiologic deterioration is common. If safe, introducing a mobility intervention early in the illness may facilitate ventilator weaning, shorten intensive care unit and hospitals stays, and improve functional status and quality of life for mechanically ventilated critically ill patients. The aim of this study was assess the cardiopulmonary and inflammatory …