ABSTRACT
Background: Prolonged immobilization in the intensive care unit (ICU) often results in significant functional decline, increased ventilator dependency, and heightened risk of ICU delirium. Early mobilization has been proposed as a potential intervention to counteract these adverse effects and improve patient outcomes.
Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the role of early mobilization and physical therapy protocols in improving functional outcomes, reducing the incidence of ICU delirium, and decreasing ventilator dependency in critically ill patients.
Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted involving 100 critically ill patients in the ICU. Patients were divided into two groups: the intervention group, which received early mobilization and physical therapy protocols starting within 72  hours of ICU admission, and the control group, which received standard care without early mobilization and physical therapy. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), ICU delirium was measured using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU), and ventilator dependency was recorded as the number of ventilator days.
Results: Patients in the intervention group showed significant improvements in functional outcomes (mean FIM score improvement of 23%, p < 0.01) compared to the control group. The incidence of ICU delirium was reduced by 28.6 % in the intervention group (p < 0.03), and the mean number of ventilator days was reduced by 31.5% compared to the control group (p < 0.02).
Conclusion: Early mobilization and physical therapy in ICU patients significantly improved functional outcomes, reduced ICU delirium, and decreased ventilator dependency. These findings support the implementation of early mobilization protocols in critically ill patients to enhance recovery and reduce ICU-related complications.
Keywords: Early mobilization, ICU delirium, ventilator dependency, functional outcomes, physical therapy, critically ill patients.